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THE WAY TO WIN 


First Published in December, igog. 





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THE WAY TO WIN 


By 

JOHN W. FERGUSON 



NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON 

THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY 
1909 


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Copyright, 1909, by 
The Neale Publishing Company 


©CI.A25SG45 


THE WAY TO WIN 


CHAPTER I 

Jack Hamilton was a New Yorker and his bach- 
elor rooms were luxuriously furnished. He was 
alone and at his desk, absorbed in calculations and 
balance sheets. He went on with this work for a 
long time, when he threw down his pencil and, 
rising, said: 

“Jack Hamilton, you are a failure and a fraud. 
Your father left you a handsome patrimony, of 
which fifty thousand dollars remains. When I 
unload these rooms, with their furnishings, pic- 
tures, bric-a-brac, et cetera, there will be, perhaps, 
ten thousand dollars more — and there’s the sum 
total of your earthly possessions. Yet you are sup- 
posed to be worth several hundred thousand dol- 
lars. You can’t go on, and what are you going to 
do about it?” 

The soliloquy was interrupted with a rap on the 
door. Jack called, “Come in,” and Sidney Liv- 
ingstone entered. He was a jovial, good fellow. 
He came into the room and, looking around, said: 

“Why, Jack, I thought I heard you talking to 
someone — not talking to yourself, eh?” 


7 


8 


THE WAY TO WIN 

“Well, Sid, a man can’t be always shunting the 
shuttle of life into a frolic, and I think he ought to 
be excused if, now and then, he prefers a rational 
conversation with a sensible man. The fact is, I 
was just composing my obituary and talking it over 
with myself, that I might form some idea how it 
would read when put into print.” 

“It is thoughtful of you to point out your vir- 
tues before leaving us, for I suspect they are much 
after the fashion of the modern sermon, where 
nobody can possibly surmise the text without being 
told. So repeat, that I may know to what perfec- 
tions you aspire before you go hence.” 

“You insinuate unbelief, and that will prevent 
me from accepting you as father confessor. But, 
badinage aside, I want a business chat with you. 
I have heard you say you would like to domicile 
here and own the contents of these rooms. Every- 
thing is for sale, except what belongs to my pro- 
fession. What say you and how much?” 

“What’s up now. Jack?” 

“The trouble with me, Sid, is that everything is 
down. In a word, I have reached the end of my 
money tether and I must go to work.” 

There was a look of surprise on Sid’s face as he 
bantered: “Oh, crawl off! I don’t believe a word 
you are saying.” 

“All the same, it is true. In the first place, I 
never had the money for which I have had credit. 
In the second place, I am now thirty-three years 
old, and for twelve years, as you know, I have been 


THE WAY TO WIN 9 

throwing my capital right and left, until now I am 
very near the bottom of the box.” 

‘‘I can’t realize it! Your embarrassment can 
only be temporary. Tell me how much you want 
and hand me your check book.” 

‘‘Come, Sid, none of that! The man who will 
accept a loan without knowing how he can repay 
it is no better than a thief. No honest man will 
permit it. However, my things here are for sale, 
my library and professional belongings excepted. 
I have an affection for these things and would 
much prefer to leave them in the possession of a 
friend. Do you want them, and how much?” 

Sid took the check book, wrote out and handed a 
check to Jack. He took it, read it, and, tearing it 
in pieces, he said : 

‘‘Sid, you have overdone the thing. Twenty 
thousand dollars is just twice too much. All I 
want is a quid pro quo, and ten thousand dollars is 
about right.” 

‘‘Oh, well, well, keep the check — keep it. These 
things must have cost you about that figure.” 

“They have cost me that sum, but they are not 
worth it. Sid, we were boys together and you were 
my college mate and chum, and I would as soon be 
your beneficiary as that of any living man. But, let 
me tell you, no man with brawn and brain can be- 
come the beneficiary of another and maintain his 
self-respect. It undermines character and weakens 
manhood.” 

“There, there, don’t moralize ! You always did 
have a streak of philosophy in you that would 


lO 


THE WAY TO WIN 

crop out at the most unreasonable moments, and 
you always would have your own way. Here’s 
your check. Now, tell me what you are going 
to do?” 

“We will canvass the question. What do you 
say to pugilism ? I stand six feet and one inch in 
my socks and weigh two hundred pounds, without 
an ounce of surplus flesh. I know that I am skilful 
with the gloves; that my foot work is more than 
good, and I can strike a blow that an athlete might 
envy.” 

“Pshaw ! Let up with your chaff — I’m not swal- 
lowing it. I know that you are all that you say, and 
I will never forget your bout at Oxford, when we 
were wandering through England and impressing 
the people with our careless care for money. It 
was a beautiful night, with the moon at the full. 
As we strolled along the streets we came upon a 
mob — gownsmen and town in a riot. We fell in 
with the gownsmen, and at it we went. The ac- 
knowledged second best man in the kingdom was 
there in training for a fight. It was your fortune 
to find him in the melee, and I will never forget in 
how short a time you put him to sleep. You were 
the hero of the night, and for once I envied you.” 

“Well, if you don’t like that line, what do you 
say to a position in a church choir? You know I 
have a voice.” 

“Yes, your barytone is without a flaw — but it 
won’t do. You could never sprout wings, and you 
would soon be in a flirtation with the soprano.” 


THE WAY TO WIN ii 

“It seems I can’t please you. What would you 
suggest?’’ 

“Why not try your profession? The knights of 
the knife say you are among the finest of sur- 
geons.” 

“Did you ever hear the joke on Walter Hud- 
son? No? Well, I will tell it to you. Hudson 
was one day talking to a friend and made a rough 
remark about Jim Bingham, which Jim, in passing, 
overheard. On the first opportunity he called Hud- 
son to account. Hudson wanted to know what he 
had said, and when and where. Jim told him. 
Hudson denied saying it. ‘But you did,’ said Jim. 
‘You are mistaken,’ said Hudson. ‘But you did, 
for I heard you.’ Hudson looked him over coolly 
and said, ‘Jim, surely you are not one of those fools 
who believe everything they hear. I always gave 
you credit for better sense.’ ” 

“Just like Hudson,” said Sid, laughing. “He is 
a cool chap. The temperature of devildom will be 
lowered when Hudson gets there. But how did the 
matter end?” 

“I don’t know. I left just about that time. But 
who can resist Hudson? And I never heard that 
any blood was shed?” 

“But what of my suggestion — the practice of 
surgery?” 

“If I can succeed in anything, I ought to succeed 
with the knife; for, after taking my degree here, I 
spent one year in London and three years in Paris 
studying surgery, as you know, for you were with 
me a good part of the time. I must admit that I 


12 


THE WAY TO WIN 

did not devote my whole time to it. In fact, I 
picked up a knowledge of a good many things not 
essential to the structure of the human body — such 
as roulette, skill at cards, and other like accom- 
plishments. Still, I think I know something of the 
anatomy of man and how to handle the scalpel. I 
will meditate on your suggestion.” 

“Which means. Jack, that you have already con- 
sidered it and made choice. You will practice here ; 
your many friends will stand by you, and you will 
do a rushing practice.” 

Jack, with a smile on his face, looked intently 
at him for a minute, and said: 

“Sid, do you really mean it? I thought you a 
better judge of human nature.” 

“I don’t claim to be an adept, but what do 
you mean?” 

“I mean, if I undertake the practice of surgery, 
I propose to do the cutting, and I do not propose 
to be cut.” 

“Your friends will not desert you. Jack.” 

“You are right, my friends will not desert me, 
but the great majority of my associates will — be- 
tween the two there is a vast difference.” 

“I don’t believe you. Jack.” 

“Your want of belief speaks well for you heart 
at the expense of your head. You have eyes, but 
you see not. It would make no change in you and 
a few more that I might name. You have some- 
thing that you value more than you do your 
money. You have an ancestry of which you are 
justly proud, and you can trace your lineage back 


THE WAY TO WIN 13 

until it is lost in the mists lying along the horizon. 
I believe in blood. It is just as necessary to true 
manhood as it is to the swift racer.” 

“iVdmit all that you say, what has it to do with 
the question?” 

“A great deal. Somebody has said that society 
is made up of the bores and the bored. True 
enough, and nine-tenths of it belong to the Jonah’s- 
gourd-vine order. It was not there yesterday, but 
it is there today; like the fly in the amber, we 
wonder how the devil it got there. This Jonah’s- 
gourd-vine society has its growth in lucre, and it 
comes and goes with black Fridays. This 
growth of a night is without real culture; 
without that gentle refinement which comes 
with the blood of many years. It is without 
ancestral pride, and it hopes with the thin veneer- 
ing of a stylish toilet, a villa at Newport, a yacht 
and a trip abroad, to rid itself of the smell of the 
stable, the odor of the butcher’s shop, or the 
scent of the exchange. Its only pedestal is money, 
and if you haven’t got money, you are a nobody. 
As a rule, it is the women of this set that go to 
build up the waste places of the European nobil- 
ity and gentry, and they are weak enough to think 
that they ennoble themselves by selling them- 
selves.” 

“Hold on. Jack, old fellow, hold on. You know 
there are some charming people in that set.” 

“I was speaking of the set as a whole.” 

“Jack, what has all this to do with your practice 
of surgery?” 


14 THE WAY TO WIN 

“It has this to do with it. As soon as these 
plutocrats find out that my money is gone, they 
will barely tolerate me. Now, I don’t propose to 
be tolerated. I don’t belong to the ‘you come, 
too,’ class. I must receive the invitation as an 
equal or I’ll none of it.” 

“Well, what do you intend to do?” 

“I intend to clear out from here in search of 
other fields. I intend to reform and begin life 
anew.’ 

“Well, reform here and begin the new life.” 

“It simply can’t be done. I thought your aca- 
demical education would enable you to understand 
the meaning of the word re-forme. Re-forma — 
putting off the old and putting on the new. There 
must be a radical change. It is only the fool that 
thinks he can float on in the same old life-boat and 
yet change the current of his life. It is impossible 
to reform and continue in the old grooves, hold 
to the same associates and live amid the same 
scenes, and you know it, Sid. To begin the new 
life, you must cut loose from the old root and 
branch.” 


CHAPTER II 


Some three months after Jack had the conversa- 
tion with Livingstone he was en route for the city 
of Denver. He was sitting in the rear coach, 
worn and weary with the journey, and almost 
asleep, when the train slowed up and stopped at a 
town about a hundred miles away from the city. 
Having spent an hour or more in an effort to get 
something for which the seat was never intend- 
ed, — comfort in a reclining position, — Jack sat up, 
and in a minute after saw a lady enter the coach. 
She was dressed in a traveling suit of rich mate- 
rial, but plainly made. An air of refinement hung 
around her, and her easy and unassuming carriage 
was such as springs only from culture and good 
breeding. She was rather above the medium 
height, and gracefully fashioned. All this Jack 
noticed as she advanced along the aisle of the 
coach and took the seat immediately in front of 
him. She settled herself, threw back her veil, 
opened her satchel and took out a book. On the 
throwing back of the veil Jack became interested. 
He had never seen more delicately chiseled fea- 
tures or a face of more patrician mould. 

The train was a few minutes behind time, and 
soon after leaving the station the engineer pulled 


16 


1 6 THE WAY TO WIN 

the throttle open and made for the time table. 
On the seat in front of the lady sat a portly man. 
A countryman evidently, because he kept the win- 
dow hoisted and did not pull down the blind. 
There was a suspicion of chill in the air, the 
weather was dry, and great clouds of dust gath- 
ered with the rushing train. The lady was dis- 
turbed, and nestled as close to the side of the car 
as she could for protection. The man, of course, 
had his face to the window, apparently looking 
upon the shifting scenery with an ox-eyed intelli- 
gence. Jack went to the fellow and, touching him, 
said : 

“Please let your window down.” 

“I’d ruther not,” was the reply. 

“Shall 1 help you? They stick sometimes and 
are hard to lower.” 

“I don’t want it down.” 

When Jack made up his mind that a thing had 
to be done there was always a masterfulness about 
him hard to resist, and now there was a glint in his 
steel-gray eyes that was boring its way into those 
of the man as he said: 

“Yes, you will, my good fellow. Don’t you see 
the dust coming into the coach and making the 
ladies very uncomfortable?” 

As he was talking he took hold of the window 
and lowered it, saying: 

“There, I knew you would as soon as you were 
informed the dust was annoying the ladies. 
Thank you.” 

The lady had watched and had heard all that 


THE WAY TO WIN 17 

had been said and done, and there was just the 
glimpse of a smile about her perfect mouth as she 
inclined her head to Jack slightly in acknowledg- 
ment of his kindness. 

For some time the train thundered on with tre- 
mendous speed, when there came the wild scream 
of the whistle, followed by jerking and jolting, 
and coach after coach went down an embankment. 
Jack gripped his seat underneath and held with 
giant strength. The seat tore away, but Jack’s fall 
was broken, while the momentum shot the other 
passengers from one end of the coach to the 
other. 

It was a fearful wreck, and soon were heard the 
cries and groans of the wounded and dying. Jack 
was badly shaken up, but managed to escape from 
the wreck without any personal injury. He found 
the train hands gathering, and, taking charge, di- 
rected them to go to the nearest office and tele- 
graph to headquarters at Denver. In the course of 
an hour the slightly injured passengers were all 
relieved and the seriously injured were placed in a 
near-by farm-house and in surrounding houses. 

When the lady of whom we have spoken was 
passed out from the wreck she was found to be 
unconscious. When Jack saw her he hesitated for 
a moment, then, taking her in his arms, he carried 
her to the farm-house and requested the woman 
that met him to make her as comfortable as pos- 
sible until his return. He went to the through 
baggage-car, succeeded in finding the trunk he 
wanted, had it carried to the house and opened it. 


1 8 THE WAY TO WIN 

It was filled with medical and surgical cases. 
Finding his patient still unconscious, he went^ to 
work with restoratives, the woman assisting him. 
After a time there was a quiver of the eyelids, then 
they opened to find Jack gazing anxiously into 
them. They closed and Jack left the room, after 
giving some instructions to his assistant. 

After Jack had left the room the unknown lady 
lay still for some time, and then asked : 

“How did I come to this place?” 

“Why, honey, you didn’t come. You was 
brought here.” 

“I know. But how was I brought?” 

“The gentleman what went away a little while 
ago brought you, and told me to take care of you 
and make you comfortable as I could. Then me 
and Mandy — that’s my gal — undressed you and 
put Mandy’s best night-gown on you.” 

“But, my good woman, how did he bring me?” 

“Honey, he just picked you up in his arms, like 
you was a little baby, and brought you here. He 
seems powerful strong, and when he laid you down 
on the bed you looked so pale and white I thought 
you was killed. He said no, you would come to, 
but you was bad hurt, and he looked mighty both- 
ered and pestered.” 

“Who is he? Do you know that man?” 

“La, child, how’d I know him? I’se never laid 
eyes on him ’fore to-day. I thought he must be 
a friend o’ yourn. When he laid you down on the 
bed he went away and had his trunk brought here 


THE WAY TO WIN 19 

and got out some medicines and begun to work on 
you. His trunk is in the passage now.” 

“Please look at the trunk and tell me if it has a 
name on it.” 

“I’s done seen the trunk. It’s mighty big and 
fine, and it’s marked Dr. Jack Hamilton, New 
York City.” 

She lay still for a few minutes with closed eyes, 
and then said: 

“Ah! Dr. Jack Hamilton! Where did he go?” 

“I guess he went to help ’bout the other folks 
that’s hurt. I sees him coming to’ard the house 
now.” 

In a few minutes Jack entered the door, saying: 
“Well, Mrs. Jones, I hear that is your name, how 
is our patient getting on?” 

“I think she’s doing right smart. She’s just 
been talking — ” 

Here the patient interposed, fearing that Mrs. 
Jones might tell more than she was willing for 
Hamilton to hear. 

“Yes, I am doing as well as I could expect, bu' 
I am in a good deal of pain.” 

Turning to her, he said: “Will you be so kind 
as to locate the pain?” 

“It is in my left arm.” 

“Do you feel no pain elsewhere?” 

“None; I feel sore and bruised generally, but I 
have no pain except in that arm.” 

“Thank you. The small bone of your left arm 
below the elbow is broken. I detected that 


20 


THE WAY TO WIN 

when — ^when I was trying to revive you from the 
shock which you had received.” 

After what Mrs. Jones had told her, she knew 
very well when Jack had detected the broken arm, 
and her face flushed as she thought of it. But she 
only said: 

“I wish someone would telegraph my father.” 

“Certainly,” said Jack. “Where does your fa- 
ther live?” 

“In Denver.” 

“We have already telegraphed to headquarters 
in Denver. But give me your father’s address 
and I will see that a telegram reaches him. What 
street and number?’ 

“Thank you. The telegram sent will be quite 
sufficient.” 

She lay still for some time, and then said: “My 
arm seems to pain me more and more. Can you 
give me any relief?” 

‘Yes, I can give you present relief, but that will 
not amount to any real good. Your arm needs 
attention, and the sooner the better.” 

“I know it does, and I suppose the train will 
soon be here from Denver with surgeons and phy- 
sicians.” 

Jack looked at her intently, saying: “We are 
here under peculiar circumstances. Suppose we 
act like sensible people and exchange names. Of 
course the acquaintance need not continue beyond 
today. I am Dr. Jack Hamilton.” 

“You may call me Kate,” she replied after a 
moment’s hesitation. 


21 


THE WAY TO WIN 

“Miss Kate, it is my duty to tell you that your 
arm ought to have immediate attention. You 
ought not to wait for the Denver train. The 
longer you wait, the sorer and more swollen will 
the muscles become and the greater the pain in set- 
ting the bone. I have no doubt the Denver train 
will bring skilled surgeons, but it will be four hours 
before that train can reach here, and you ought to 
have immediate relief. If you will trust me, I 
know I am fully competent to take charge of your 
case, with Mrs. Jones to assist me.” 

“You are a doctor, then?” 

‘I believe I said as much when I gave you my 
name, and my offer indicates that I so consider my- 
self. Perhaps I ought to say that I aspire to be a 
specialist — a surgeon.” 

“The pain is very great, and I will trust you.” 

He gave instruction to Mrs. Jones how to pre- 
pare the patient, and went out to his trunk. After 
searching for a time, he secured everything that he 
wanted. Returning, he found her ready, and the 
most perfect arm he had ever seen, bared to the 
shoulder. 

“Miss Kate, you may suffer for a little while. 
Would you like to try chloroform?” 

“No, I can stand it.” 

Without further remark he went to work. She 
was surprised at the softness and gentleness of his 
touch, and felt instinctively that she was in skilful 
hands. Stopping only now and then to give di- 
rections to Mrs. Jones, he worked rapidly, but 


22 


THE WAY TO WIN 

tenderly, until the last bandage was in place. 
Drawing back, he asked; 

“Did you suffer much?’’ 

“Yes, it was very painful.” 

“You did not even move the whole time.” 

“No, I was trying to help you all I could.” 

A look of satisfaction was on Jack’s face as he 
said: 

“Well, I want you to rest while I go around and 
see how the others are getting on.” 

He had gone some time, when he came into the 
room with the question, “How are you feeling 
now?” 

“I have no special pain now, and but for the 
general shaking up I feel as well as I ever did.” 

“Well, with Mrs. Jones’ help you can get up 
and dress and be ready for the train when It comes. 
In the meantime, I will prepare a sling for your 
arm. When you are ready, Mrs. Jones can call 
me and I will come In and adjust it. The break 
requires that the forearm should rest at a right 
angle to the elbow.” 

Mrs. Jones called, and he came In with a white 
silk handkerchief In his hand. His patient was 
dressed, with the sleeve of the left arm slit from 
the wrist-band to the elbow. The handkerchief 
was converted into a sling and adjusted with the 
help of Mrs. Jones. 

“If I can be of any further service, you can com- 
mand me,” said Jack. 

There was nothing more to do, so Jack dragged 
a chair into the front yard and took a seat in the 


THE WAY TO WIN 23 

shade of a tree. He lit a cigar and prepared to 
meditate and wait for the incoming train. 

Blessed be the man that invented the cigar ! He 
was a benefactor — a philanthropist without know- 
ing it! It is an inspiration to the student, rest to 
the weary, and a solace to the sorrowing! Who 
would miss the dreamy visions that we see and the 
beautiful castles that we build in the curl and the 
ring of its smoke ! 

Jack was communing with himself and blowing 
rings, in each of which he saw the framed face of 
his late patient. “Her form is perfect, and all of 
nature’s padding,” he said with a smile. “There 
is no fraud about it. Her hair is nut-brown, wavy 
and silky. Evidently there is no proletarian blood 
there — she is all patrician. I wonder who she is 
and where she liv'es? But what is she to me? A 
dream, merely a dream — only that, and nothing 
more.” 

But all the same, he continued to dream until 
he was roused from his reverie by the scream of 
the incoming train. Several men got off when it 
stopped, two of whom, after talking with some 
of the hands, started directly to the farm-house. 
One of them was rather below the medium height, 
somewhat dumpy in his make-up, and moved with 
a short, quick, jerky step. The other was tall, of 
a well-proportioned and commanding figure, and 
advanced with a strong and resolute stride. Jack 
observed that silver threads were on the head of 
each, as they passed without looking at him. Mrs. 
Jones met them at the door and ushered them into 


24 THE WAY TO WIN 

the room. The lady stood up as the tall gentle- 
man entered, and was clasped to his heart as he 
exclaimed in a broken voice : 

“My child, my child, my precious child! God 
only knows how agonized 1 was when I heard of 
the wreck, knowing that you were on the train.” 

While he was speaking she had twined her 
sound arm around his neck and, pulling him down, 
she had kissed him again and again, sobbing and 
saying: 

“I knew you would come! I knew you would 
come! Oh, father, it was dreadful, so dreadful!” 

Here the dumpy man broke In: “Come, Dick, 
turn that bundle of trouble loose and let me get 
at it. It seems to have got damaged In the mix-up. 
For a half-hour before starting its Dad’s face 
looked like a country grave-yard, and I had some 
hope of holding a post mortem, but just as we 
were leaving an unfortunate telegram came, direct- 
ed to all the world, and I have been disconsolate 
ever since. Come here, let me into that sling — 
I must see why you are slinging that arm.” 

With a face wreathed with happy smiles she 
went to him, saying: 

“My dear old Uncle Gus, you can never know 
how glad I am to see you, but gladder still that 
you are forced to postpone your post mortem” 

“Dr. Gustavus Blake, if you don’t attend to 
your duties and stop w'orrying that child, I will 
have a writ de lunatico inqiiirendo issued and put 
you where your fatuity will receive all necessary 


THE WAY TO WIN 25 

attention, and your too-confiding patients be In 
safety. Get to work, sir.” 

‘‘Judge Richard Somers, you are a fraud 1 I 
have known you ever since we spent six years at 
Harvard together, and you have never had me 
fooled for a minute. You are nothing but an old 
relic of Coke, and when you were about burnt out 
at your profession you managed to hoodwink the 
Idiots, commonly called voters. Into putting you on 
the Supreme Bench.” While he was talking he had 
taken the arm from the sling and, on seeing that It 
was bandaged, exclaimed: 

“Good God, child, have you fallen Into the hands 
of some country practitioner, who hardly knows 
how to shape a pill? This Is a matter too serious 
and Important for experiment,” and his face wore 
an anxious expression. 

“My dear old friend, I think you are mistaken. 
Any port In a storm, you know. I was suffering 
horribly — much more than I made known. The 
man had dragged me out of the wreck, and when 
I was brought to this house he came with me. He 
examined my arm and told me It was broken below 
the elbow. He said the sooner It had attention the 
better, and assured me that his skill was sufficient 
to meet the requirements of my injury, and I 
think you will find everything properly and skil- 
fully done.” 

“Much you know about it,” muttered the doctor, 
loud enough to be heard. “I’ll be bound if he was 
young and had a handsome face it had all your at- 
tention.” 


26 


THE WAY TO WIN 

After examining everything for some time with 
great care and anxiety, he said: “By the shade of 
Aesculapius, the fellow knew what he was doing. 
He is no country pill-maker. Every appliance is 
perfect and of the up-to-date kind, and all beauti- 
fully placed. Where could he have gotten these 
things — not about here, that’s certain, for they are 
of modern make and used only by the few who 
keep pace with the profession. You bundle of 
luckl You seem to have fallen Into safe hands, 
and we will not disturb your tramp doctor’s work 
until we get you home. But tell us about the acci- 
dent.” 

In the meantime Jack had sauntered into the 
house, overheard a part of the conversation, and 
concluded that he had better vacate. He went 
out and gave orders for his trunk to be removed 
and put on the train for Denver. 

When Kate had finished telling all she knew, her 
father said: 

“Where is this man? I want to thank him for 
his kindness to you.” 

“The last I saw of him he was in the front yard, 
sitting In the shade of a tree, smoking a cigar and 
blowing rings.” 

“But he is not there now, for I can see all over 
the yard. What did you say his name is? 

“\yhat is it, Mrs. Jones? You saw the name 
on his trunk in the hallway.” 

“I will go and see.” Returning, he said: “The 
trunk is not there. Tell me, Mrs. Jones, if you can 
recall it.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 27 

“My mem’ry’s not as good as it used to be, and 
I’s just been trying to think. Seems to me ’twas 
Henton — Dr. Henton. He’s some ’ristocrat, I 
can tell you that, ’cause when he rolled his sleeves 
up to work on Miss Kate’s arm I seed he wore 
silk next his skin, and he has a way of looking at 
you when he wants somethin’ done that just makes 
you jump and do it quick.” 

“Mrs. Jones, can you tell us anything else that 
was on the trunk?” 

“Seems to me I saw Dr. Henton, New Ark City, 
but I don’t know where that is, and — ” 

“Let the fellow go,” broke in the doctor. “I 
wish him well, however, for the sake of the job 
he left behind him. He was a Samaritan in time 
of need.” 

“Yes, he seemed a right smart man and mighty 
handy,” said Mrs. Jones. 

The judge put his hand to his mouth as if to 
hide a yawn, the doctor looked at Kate with eyes 
twinkling with fun, and she said to herself, “Thank 
you, Mrs. Jones.” 

In the course of an hour the wounded had been 
cared for, and it was announced that in twenty 
minutes the train would leave on its return to Den- 
ver. Kate and her companions entered the rear 
coach. Jack saw this and was careful to stow 
himself away forward in the smoker. The train 
had nearly reached the city, when Kate remarked: 

“Father, didn’t you, or Uncle Gus, say some- 
thing about getting a telegram as you were leaving 
for the wreck, that relieved your anxiety?” 


28 


THE WAY TO WIN 

“Yes, it was from you, but without direction. 
Your messenger must have forgotten my name — 
did not care to let you know it — and sent it to the 
office of the company. Fortunately, the man who 
sent the message yesterday from me, saying I 
would expect you home to-day, received it. He 
surmised it was from you and sent it to me. Here 
is the telegram.” 

Kate took it and read: 

“My arm is injured, but not seriously. Kate.” 

There was a smile on her face as she read. She 
gave it back without comment, thinking as she 
did so : 

“I acted foolishly. I ought to have given him 
my full name. He did the best he could, and, to 
say, the least, it was kind.” 

The shades of night were gathering as the train 
rolled up to the station. 


CHAPTER III 


Kate Somers was a graduate of Vassar of two 
years standing. Without striving for position, 
she had done full justice to her several duties. 
While there she made a few warm friends and was 
generally respected. She could not be called pop- 
ular, because her gentle dignity and quiet reserve 
did not contribute to intimacy. Among the friends 
that she had made there was not one that she 
prized so highly as she did Grace Russell of New 
York City, with whom she still continued to ex- 
change letters and confidences. During her vaca- 
tions she had seen many places of historical and 
social interest in the United States and in Canada; 
and after her graduation, in company with friends, 
she traveled in Europe for twelve months or more, 
visiting the scenes and wonders of the old conti- 
nent. Returning home, she had been welcomed 
into society, and at once took her place among the 
leaders. 

Judge Somers was a son of the old Bay State 
and of Puritan blood. He was learned and liter- 
ary, and his affable and courteous manners se- 
cured him a welcome among the most cultured. 
After taking his degree, he married and went to 
Denver while that city was still in short dresses. 


29 


30 THE WAY TO WIN 

Entering upon the practice of his profession with 
marked energy and ability, he soon gained a lucra- 
tive practice, and by judicious investments he had 
become a wealthy man. Kate was his only child. 
His wife died when Kate was ten years old, but 
he had never married again, and seemed wholly 
absorbed in his daughter and in his judicial duties. 
At fifty he was in the vigor of his manhood ; walked 
with a quick, springy step, and continued on the 
bench only because his nature was such that he 
could not be Idle. 

Dr. Blake was a jolly old bachelor of com- 
fortable fortune. He seemed a verification of the 
saying, laugh and grow fat. Gus and Dick, as they 
loved to call each other, were boys of the same 
neighborhood, entered the University at the same 
time, and were room-mates throughout their six- 
year course. After taking his degree of M. D. 
and serving three years in a New York hospital, 
he established himself in Boston and, as he said, 
“hung out his shingle with the pious intention of 
feeding on the ills of humanity.” He gradually 
worked himself forward in his profession and be- 
came distinguished for his skill in surgery. “Dick” 
had written to him several times, begging him to 
come to Denver. But “Gus” could never get his 
own consent until he heard that the wife of his old 
friend was dead. So we find him in Denver with 
an experience of about fourteen years in that city; 
Its leading physician and in charge of the city 
hospital. It is said that “Dick” and “Gus,” so 
far as is known, never had but one seeming alterca- 


THE WAY TO WIN 31 

tion, and this occurred about two weeks after the 
doctor arrived in the city. He was staying with his 
old friend and they were sitting on the veranda, 
when Judge Somers remarked: 

“By the way, Gus, have you thought of an office? 
I think I know just the place.” 

“No, not yet, but it is about time, and I will look 
at your place to-morrow. I must also find a place 
where I can eat and sleep, and in this matter I can 
assure you I am a little particular.” 

“You are, eh? What’s the matter with this 
house?” 

“Nothing that I know of. It is a beautiful 
building and of delightful location.” 

“Pshaw! You know what I mean. Why not 
make your home with me and Kate?” 

“I would like to do so on certain conditions.” 

“Name your conditions.” 

“Well, I must have a room apart, where I can’t 
hear Kate strumming on the piano and where I will 
not disturb the house with my high jinks in day 
time and my melodious snoring in the night time.” 

“All right. What else must you have?” 

“I must have my own factotum and he must live 
here.” 

“No objection. Go on with your list.” 

“I must have a place for my horses, — I intend 
to keep two, — and a place for my vehicles.” 

“I am still agreeable. Go on.” 

“For these privileges and such table comforts 
as you may furnish, you must accept full compen- 
sation.” 


32 THE WAY TO WIN 

The face of Judge Somers flushed as he an- 
swered : 

“Gus Blake, do you think I could be prevailed 
upon to accept pay for the little that you would 
eat? Impossible ! You know that I will consider 
it a personal kindness on your part to make your 
home here. So say no more about it !” 

“Look here, Dick, it’s no use getting red in the 
face. The weather is too warm to take on addi- 
tional heat. The matter between us is one purely 
of business and sentiment has nothing to do with 
it. Whenever a man permits his sympathy or sen- 
timent to mingle in his business, he ceases to be a 
business man; and if ever I find myself in partner- 
ship with such a man, I will forthwith force a dis- 
solution. I know you are a man of large means 
and the expense to you would be a mere baga- 
telle — you would never know it, much less feel it. 
But there is another view to take of the matter. 
Under your view, I would be here on sufferance, 
as the lawyers say. That might suit some people — 
but you must excuse me. I’ll none of it. If I 
stay here, I must have the right to stay and I 
must feel that I have that right. If I want to 
quarrel with you now and then, I must have the 
right to do it, for you are fearfully afflicted with 
obstinacy and pig-headedness. I must have the 
right to kick a servant occasionally, because it al- 
ways puts me in a good humor and strengthens my 
better nature. If the tommy cat gets to courting 
his sweetheart at^ midnight with discordant notes, 
I must have the right to lift my window and throw 


THE WAY TO WIN 33 

the bootjack at him, or go out into the back yard 
and chase him and blaspheme a little. You have 
no idea what a relief it is — a joy which you — ” 

“Oh, stop your chattering and nonsense. You 
are as voluble as a lawyer who has taken fees from 
both sides, and — ” 

“Well, you may know something about that; I 
do not. I do know it is not the part of true friend- 
ship to undermine your friend’s manhood, deprive 
him of his independence and make of him a de- 
pendent, a coat-tail swinger, a hanger-on, a mere 
‘me too’ fellow.” 

The discussion continued for some time with 
more or less warmth, when Judge Somers said: 

“Gus, you are displaying more asinine qualities 
than I thought it possible even for you to show.” 

“Come, my friend, spread your flattery gently; 
don’t throw it at me in chunks. Your bump of 
egotism needs trephining. Do you know it might 
be difficult to tell the asinine from the angelic?” 

“I think it natural for you to confound the two.” 

“A better man than I claim to be did the same 
thing.” 

“I don’t believe it.” 

“I can prove it. It is a biblical fact, and I hope 
you believe the Bible.” 

“Some people have questioned your soundness.” 

“If you haven’t read it, you may have heard that 
Balaam, on a certain occasion, paid a visit to his 
friend, Balak, and that his means of transportation 
was the back of an ass. I f you remember what was 
told you, you know that Balaam met with an ad- 


34 the way to win 

venture on the way with an angel standing in the 
road. Balaam could not see the angel, but the ass 
did, and refused to go forward. Balaam thought 
the refusal merely a display of asinine qualities and 
undertook to force the beast forward. The angel 
then spoke to Balaam through the mouth of the 
ass. That the ass should talk seems to have been 
no surprise to Balaam — no doubt he thought it an- 
other way of displaying asinine qualities. After a 
time Balaam saw the angel, and, finding that he 
had confused the angel with the ass, he excused the 
beast. To my way of thinking, Balaam was the 
chief ass of the occasion.” 

During this exegesis, Kate had come in from the 
street and took her position by her father. When 
the doctor had finished his diatribe. Judge Somers 
rose up, saying: 

“You are incorrigible, Gus, and if you fancy 
you must buy imaginary rights, arrange the price 
with Kate, for I shall have nothing to do with it. 
Kate is a little spendthrift and is always In want 
of money to buy gloves, handkerchiefs, ribbons 
and bonbons.” 

“Dick, I always said you were a sensible fellow, 
and now I know you are no less discreet. Thank 
you. I see the olive branch and I shall respect 
your flag of truce. In fact, I think you see the 
angel.” 

Then and there, with the most business-like air, 
the doctor made his arrangements with Kate, 
which consisted merely in telling her what he 
would do and what she must do. The doctor did 


THE WAY TO WIN 35 

all the talking, while Kate, immensely tickled, lis- 
tened with nods of approval. 

When the train reached the city and came to a 
stop. Jack saw Kate and her companions leave the 
coach and, entering a handsome equipage, drive 
away. Arriving at home, Kate went to her room, 
and, putting herself in the hands of her maid, she 
was soon comfortable in a negligee gown and' re- 
clining chair. It was a little chilly, so the maid 
was ordered to kindle a fire, and was then told she 
might go. Leaning back in her chair, Kate closed 
her eyes and seemed lost in a sea of rest for a half 
hour or more, when she rang a bell and the maid 
appeared. She was directed to bring the letters 
from a certain drawer in the writing-desk. Kate 
quickly looked them over, and, finding the one she 
wanted, she opened it. It was from Grace Russell. 
Glancing over it, Kate came to the following para- 
graph : 

“Katie dear, you know I wrote you about meet- 
ing Dr. Jack Hamilton. I have met him several 
times since, and I find him the cream of society. 
He is ranked among the leaders of his profession, 
but just why nobody knows, as he scarcely makes a 
pretense of practicing, and he is supposed to be 
rich. He has been a great reader and traveler, 
and he seems to know everything. Yesterday some 
of us spent the day on the water — yachting — and 
I was under his wing. I think him — my Jack, as I 
call him — simply delightful. Sometimes he may 
appear a little reserved in his manners, but he 
knows just when to throw all that aside and enter 
into the fun, and then, Katie, he is really charming; 


36 THE WAY TO WIN 

and with his easy, graceful ways, he just slips into 
the heart before you know it. And yet I am not 
sure I am not afraid of him — just the least little 
bit — when, with his great gray eyes, he looks into 
mine, as if he were reading something in the back 
of my head. I wonder if he is a mind reader? 
Au revoir, Grace.” 

“P. S. — Now, Katie, after writing all this non- 
sense, you must not think for a moment that Cupid 
has made his home in my heart, for my Jack hasn’t 
said a word. I am only watching the Little Love 
God at his archery as he lets his arrows fly. He 
may be shooting at me, but he hasn’t hit me yet. 
By-by, Grace.” 

With a smile Kate folded the letter, saying to 
herself as she did so: “So I knew you. Dr. Jack 
Hamilton — thanks to Grace’s letters. I could 
not give you my full name, fearing that you had 
heard of me through Grace. But there is one 
thing. Dr. Jack, I am not inclined to forgive — that 
you should think me such a fool as to accept your 
word for your skill with broken limbs. No doubt 
it was flattering to your vanity, of which you have 
a good supply; but. Jack, you should remember 
that it was at the expense of my common sense. 
But my dear old Uncle Gus says you did your work 
beautifully, and I know you gave me great relief — 
so 1 must forgive you. There is one thing, how- 
ever, I will not forgive. It was quite unnecessary 
for you to gather me up in your arms.” 

Rousing from her revery, she said to her maid: 
“Mag, help me to bed,” and she was not seen by 
the public for four weeks. 


CHAPtER IV 


For a month Jack remained at his hotel, appar- 
ently without business and seemingly without pur- 
pose. He devoted himself to a study of the city 
and its possible future. He found it beautiful for 
situation, built as it is upon several plateaus rising 
with gentle ascent from the river and facing the 
hills, only a few miles away, that roll like billows 
to the foot of the mountains. The scene was grand 
and the view impressive, and the pure air stirred 
his blood and quickened his energy. In going to 
and fro he halted many a time to gaze upon the 
panorama and drink in the grandeur of his sur- 
roundings. Fie was surprised at the magnitude of 
the city, at the solidity of its structures, at the size 
of its public buildings, and at their architectural 
beauty and finish. Its commercial importance, 
the immense traffic of the railroads, its local ad- 
vantages, the enterprise of its citizens and its mar- 
velous growth convinced him that it was only in 
the springtime of its career. In his wanderings 
he had so familiarized himself with the place that 
a stranger would have taken him for an old habi- 
tant. 

He had brought with him letters of introduction 
to a few prominent people ; but during this time he 


37 


38 THE WAY TO WIN 

had not presented one of them, preferring to reach 
a decision as to his future from data derived from 
his own researches. He had formed only a few 
speaking acquaintances, and these seemed to like 
him, as he did the listening and permitted them to 
do the talking. Only one of them tried to break 
through the reserve with which Jack surrounded 
himself. Mr. Allbright was a fit representative 
of a class of men with which we have all met — 
more or less. He was a good-natured, self-satis- 
fied fellow whose mental pabulum was chiefly gos- 
sip, and who was possessed of more curiosity than 
brains, and of more perseverance than prudence. 
He had attempted several times to find out what 
Jack was doing in Denver. He was again skir- 
mishing on the investigating line, when Jack said: 

“Let me tell you an anecdote I once heard. 
There was a man in the State of New York, where 
1 grew up, that had grown rich from small begin- 
nings. An acquaintance, wfith more curiosity than 
tact, wanted to know of him how he had made his 
fortune, and was told: ‘You see, it was kinder this 
way. I had to work, and I worked hard, ’tending 
to my own business all the time, and in this way I 
made ’bout fifty thousand dollars. After this, I 
kept on working and I made about fifty thousand 
dollars by letting other people’s business alone. So 
you see that it was by working on these two lines 
that I made my fortune.’ ” 

Allbright looked a little dazed as he replied, “It 
seems to me it all amounts to about the same 
thing.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 39 

“Well, it does look a little that way,” said Jack. 

The conversation lagged and Allbright took 
himself off. Meeting w’lth two of his associates, he 
told them Hamilton’s joke. They were very much 
amused, and Allbright said : “D — d if I don’t half- 
way believe the fellow was poking fun at me, and 
I think I’ll go back and give him a piece of my 
mind.” 

“No, you had better not do that,” said one. 
“In the first place, I don’t think he needs It. In the 
second place, it is an article that very few of us can 
afford to spare.” 

“But what if he meant to insult me?” 

“He didn’t mean that. Evidently you were ask- 
ing too many questions and he told you this joke 
to let you know^ in a polite way, that he did not 
care to be interviewed. That’s about all there is of 
it. Come, It’s my set up,” and they went. 

Among the letters of Introduction that Jack 
brought with him was one to Dr. Blake from Dr. 
Fitzgerald, who had served three years with Dr. 
Blake in the hospital. He called at the doctor’s 
office, presented his card, and was ushered into the 
reception room. In about ten minutes Dr. Blake 
came in with the card In his hand, saying in a con- 
versational way, “Dr. Hamilton, I believe.” 

As he came in Jack rose up and said, “Dr. Blake, 
allow me to present this letter.” 

Dr. Blake took the letter, waved him to a seat, 
sat down himself and began to read. Hamilton 
remembered him and understood the reason of his 
presence at the railroad wreck. He determined In- 


40 THE WAY TO WIN 

I 

stantly not to refer to that accident. Jack made 
a study of the doctor as he read the letter, and de- 
cided that he was a man of brain, of quick percep- 
tion, possessor of a strong will and much good 
humor. When Dr. Blake came to the signature to 
the letter, he sprang up and, seizing Jack’s hand, he 
shook It vigorously and said: 

“Dr. Hamilton, I am more than glad to see you. 
I am delighted, for your presence with this letter 
makes me feel young again. Dear old FItz says 
many good things about you. He tells me your 
specialty Is surgery and that you think of locating 
In this city. Just the place for you, and you are 
needed here. But tell me about FItz — the dear 
old boy. The last time I saw him was In Boston, 
just before I left for the West. I remember he 
told me he had managed to accumulate a house- 
hold, that Is, a wife and several children, but I 
don’t remember that he spoke of having accumu- 
lated anything else, unless It was debt, which nat- 
urally follows the household business. By the 
way, are you married?” 

“Speaking from your standpoint. It gives me 
pleasure to say that I have not been so unfortunate 
as to accumulate a household.” 

“Well, well, don’t be too sure about the stand- 
point; but go on and tell me about my old friend 
FItz.” 

For some time they talked of Dr. Fitzgerald, 
when Hamilton closed the conversation with the 
remark that Dr. Fitzgerald had accumulated not 
only a most Interesting household, but also a most 


THE WAY TO WIN 41 

interesting fortune, and that he ranked very high 
as a specialist in the treatment of the eye, ear and 
nose. 

“He deserves it all and more too,’’ said Dr. 
Blake, “for he is the prince of good fellows. It 
makes me feel young again to talk of him, and I 
am rollicking around with him in the old hospital 
days, when I was trying to get rid of my ignorance, 
but which clings to me like the shirt of Nessus.’’ 

After some further conversation, Hamilton was 
in the act of leaving, when Dr. Blake said : 

“So you have decided to cast your lot among 
us?’’ 

“And I am now in search of a suitable office.” 

“See Van Tromp, near the city hospital. He 
has the suite of rooms you want. A little costly, 
but all the more desirable. Secure these rooms 
and fling your shingle to the breeze. Put on a bold 
front and a wise look, and never forget that the 
crowd seldom looks beyond the surface and, as a 
rule, accepts a man at his own valuation. I shall 
back you in the beginning for Fitz’s sake, and I 
hope, as time passes, that I shall only grow more 
earnest for your sake.” 

“I shall act on your advice and profit from 
your experience.” 

“I don’t know' about that. Evidently, you are 
no spring chicken.” 


CHAPTER V 


Several months have come and gone, and spring 
is beginning to unfold herself in beauty. Jack has 
secured the Van Tromp rooms and furnished them 
with pleasing taste. They consist of five rooms — 
a reception-room, a private office, two bedrooms, 
and a bath-room in which are to be seen a punch- 
ing-bag, boxing-gloves, dumb-bells and other in- 
dicia of the manly art. He has a good driving 
horse and has purchased a magnificent saddler of 
pure Kentucky blood and of unusual speed.* He 
has assisted Dr. Blake in performing several deli- 
cate operations, and he has made of him a fast 
friend and a fond companion. 

He has made many pleasant acquaintances 
among the best people in the city, but avoids fash- 
ionable society, with its balls and entertainments. 
He has no time for club life and he never attends 
the opera or the theater except upon important 
nights. Business has begun to flow in upon him. 
His industry and skill have impressed themselves 
upon public attention and he is regarded as the 
coming man in his profession. He rides like a Cen- 
taur, and in the afternoons, when not otherwise en- 
gaged, he mounts his mettled saddler and, passing 
beyond the city limits, he breaks into a rapid 

42 


THE WAY TO WIN 43 

canter, pushing sometimes almost to the racing 
speed, to the joy of the steed and the health of the 
rider. 

During this time he has thought often of the 
train wreck and his lady patient. In his drives 
and rides, and in his walks along the streets, he has 
had hopes of meeting her; but he has now come to 
the conclusion that he must have been mistaken in 
supposing her to be of the city. She must have 
been a bird of passage, and the thought brought to 
him a feeling akin to that of disappointment. 

It was evening. Judge Somers had finished his 
official duties for the term, and was sitting with 
Dr. Blake on the veranda, when the latter said, 
“By the way, Dick, have you met Dr. Hamilton?” 

“No, and if he is to get the grip on me that he 
seems to have on you, I don’t know that I ought to 
meet him, for he must be a hypnotist.” 

“You can add another to the list of your faulty 
opinions, which are many — no doubt. He is not a 
hypnotist, nor is there any humbuggery or mystery 
about him. He is simply a cultured and traveled 
gentleman, who knows how to entertain when he 
is with a man that he thinks can appreciate him. 
He is not a promiscuous talker, and I don’t know 
that he will have any desire to put either his mental 
or social grip on you.” 

“Evidently, Gus, he has captured you, for you 
have been singing his praises for some time, and 
his skill and his perfections form the refrain of 
every song. I have no doubt he is pulling toward 
the front of his profession, and since you assure me 


44 the way to win 

he is no hypnotist I have no objection to meeting 
him.” 

“Well, I don’t think him exactly ready for the 
horses and chariot of fire; and as for pulling to- 
ward the front of his profession, he is doing no 
such thing. He is already there. About a month 
ago I saw him amputate a limb at the hip joint — a 
difficult operation — and his skill surprised me with 
all my experience. I tell you it was wonderful — ” 
“No doubt,” broke in the judge, “and must rank 
among the wonder of wonders if it was one of the 
upper limbs. Is the fellow living?” 

“About as wonderful as your wit is cheap. Yes, 
the fellow is not only living, but he is almost well. 
Only ten days ago I saw him operate for appendi- 
citis, and I tell you he had the man open and the 
worm in his hand at almost a single stroke. He is 
not troubled with nerves, and his manipulation is 
perfect. He loves his work, and I never saw the 
man that could handle the knife as he does. You 
ought to see him at his work — ” 

“Excuse me, Gus, that is just what I don’t want 
to see. I take great pleasure in humoring you in 
your whimsical old age, but you must excuse me 
this time.” 

“Ah, I forgot ! Hanging is the only remedy that 
commands your elevated attention. Every one to 
his taste. De giistibus non dispntandiim” 

With a quizzical look the judge said: “Gus, tell 
me about the appendix and its uses. What office 
does it fill in the human economy? It seems to be 
a late discovery, and to operate for it has become 
almost a fashionable fad.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 45 

“I appreciate your question, Dick, but I decline 
to answer because It Is one of folly. You remem- 
ber, perhaps, what Solomon said about answering 
such questions. I shall invite Hamilton to take 
supper with us to-morrow night, and if you wish 
it we can discuss the question as an appetizer.” 

“You will do no such thing. The court of Its 
own motion grants an injunction — except as to the 
invitation.” 

The next evening, as Hamilton mounted the 
steps, he was met by Dr. Blake and introduced to 
Judge Somers. For an instant he was surprised 
out of his usual calm, when he saw in the judge 
friend number two of Miss Kate at the railroad 
wreck. A dreamy feeling crept over him for a 
minute as he w’ondered if he was to meet her. By 
the time supper was announced he was himself 
again, and entered readily and brilliantly Into con- 
versation on general topics. He was on his mettle, 
and, feeling that he must make a favorable impres- 
sion, he exchanged bon mot and repartee with the 
doctor so effectively that he had him, now and 
then, on the defensive, to the great delight of the 
judge, who was joining in the conversation just 
enough to keep it going. After a time, replying to 
a remark of the judge, he fired a witticism that 
sent Blake off into roars of laughter, who ex- 
claimed: 

“Blaze away, Hamilton, there is nobody here 
but us girls — ^just say what you please. Only you 
must not talk about the operation you performed 
a few days ago for appendicitis. Dick thinks it 
will not do for an appetizer, and he has issued an 


46 THE WAY TO WIN 

injunction against it. But turn your shrapnel loose 
on everything else ad libitum.” 

“I shall respect the injunction. The judge need 
have no fears, as I never talk shop. 1 am a physi- 
cian and surgeon only when I am on duty or in my 
office. It has always been a source of wonderment 
to me how any man can, for a moment, imagine 
that the general public can be interested in his pri- 
vate doings, his individual plans and speculations, 
or enjoy the constant smell of his shop.” 

“The evil is founded in pure and unadulterated 
selfishness,” said the judge. “Time and again 
have I been compelled to listen to certain legal 
vampires who spend their time in trying to suck 
information from others, instead of devoting them- 
selves to mastering the principles that underlie the 
case in hand. They are generally third-rate fel- 
lows, without an original idea, who are all at sea 
unless they can find some reported case deciding 
the issues. They think only of themselves, and 
they are utterly regardless of your feelings or your 
wishes, of your comfort or your surroundings, but 
go on and on detailing and retailing their little 
cases ad nauseam.” 

Winking at Hamilton, Dr. Blake exclaimed: 

“My, how he must have suffered when the mere 
recollection so disturbs his judicial repose ! Who 
would think the weighty, ponderous gravity of a 
judge could be moved! But, having suffered, I 
know how to sympathize with him in his affliction. 
Even in Beotia these fellows, about whom we 
have been talking, would grade as first-class asses. 


THE WAY TO WIN 47 

In comparison a leper would be a 'delightful com- 
panion, and I always shun these worthies as I 
would the bubonic plague — all the way from the 
effeminate ninny who parts his hair in the middle 
down to the faded grandmother who is ever ready 
to recount the endless list of the charms and the 
beauties, the smart sayings and the smart doings 
of her grandchildren, and who would stop a fu- 
neral procession rather than lose an opportunity 
to tell you about them. By the way, what becomes 
of all the beautiful and smart children? Who can 
tell me?” 

“I am with you, doctor, until you come to the 
grandmother,” said Hamilton. “There I draw 
the line, and for her I am ready to break a lance. 
She must not be included among these princes of 
boredom. She has learned from experience the 
weakness of humanity; her sufferings have taught 
her how to enter into the sufferings of others; her 
sorrows have taught her how to sympathize; her 
tribulations have spiritualized her nature, and 
from the sunset of life she is looking back at its 
dawn and living again in her children’s children. 
I love to hear her tell the stories of the long ago to 
the big-eyed little ones; I love to hear her prattle 
with the little ones as they play and romp around 
her, and I listen with reverence as she talks to 
me of her darlings that are ever nestling in her 
heart. God bless the grandmother I In the home 
where she lingers it is a benediction.” 

Dr. Blake was nodding his head approvingly, 
and the judge was watching the speaker intently as 


48 THE WAY TO WIN 

he gave expression to his sentiments in a strong 
barytone voice. There was silence for a minute, 
broken by Dr. Blake with : 

“Dick, start the wine I Hamilton’s sentimen- 
talities have made me as dry as a preacher’s ser- 
mon. Start the wine !” 

At a glance from the judge the servant began to 
fill the glasses. When he came to Hamilton he 
stopped, as Hamilton placed his hand over the 
glass and said: 

“I beg to be excused. Having joined the ranks 
of the Reformers, I must stick to my credo.” 

“What do you mean by that ?” said Dr. Blake. 

“It means that, having spent a fortune in fast 
living, I have changed my mode of life and turned 
my back on the past.” 

“Do you think a glass of wine would hurt you? 
You are not a prohibitionist, are you?” 

“I believe in total abstinence, and that, I sup- 
pose, places me among the prohibitionists. No 
honest man can believe in a creed for himself and 
not believe it would be best for others. Having, 
like the prodigal, come to my senses, I resolved to 
begin life anew. It is impossible to put on the new 
life and at the same time indulge in the old life. 
If we hold to the environments and continue the 
habits of the old life, there can be no reformation. 
Now, I never was drunk, nor do I think one glass 
of wine would do me any physical harm, but, hav- 
ing resolved to begin a new life, to take it would 
weaken my will power, low’er my self-respect, and 
in this way it would injure me morally.” 


49 


THE WAY TO WIN 

“ "Tis good to be merry and wise, 

Tis good to be honest and true ; 

’Tis good to be off with the old love, 

Before you are on with the new.’ ” 

hummed the doctor, and said: 

“That’s the idea, is it, Hamilton? Well, I have 
made no resolves and I have registered no vows, 
so here’s success to your resolution, and may you 
continue resolute in your resolution,” and he 
drained his glass. 

“There is no chance for prohibition in this 
State,” said the judge. “In fact, the subject is not 
even under consideration; but there is an element 
that would be glad to see the State take charge of 
the whiskey business and establish places for its 
sale in our several cities, towns and counties. In 
this way the State would do all the buying and all 
the selling, under certain restrictions, and reap all 
the profits. The advocates of this plan call it the 
Dispensary system. Do you favor this view of the 
liquor question?” 

“I have heard nothing of the element to which 
you refer, but when traveling in Europe I met with 
the proposed system and I do not approve it. You 
merely transfer the place of drinking. Instead of 
buying a drink, you buy a pint; you take it to your 
room, and my observation is that young men, by, 
reason of association and good fellowship, are thus 
often induced to drink when otherwise they would 
not indulge. A drink might have satisfied the pur- 
chaser, but, having a pint on hand, he must finish 
the pint, and in this way the system tends to in- 
crease the evil. Of course, the man who wants to 


50 THE WAY TO WIN 

drink will have it, and the system only suggests 
to him the necessity of always keeping a supply on 
hand. As I see it, the system furnishes a soil for 
the growth of temptation. I prefer prohibition.” 

‘‘But the advocates of the system claim that it 
reduces drinking and drunkenness, and that it is a 
moral institution?” 

‘‘To claim is easy, but where is the proof? There 
is none, and the advocates furnish us with the asser- 
tion only. But the idea of its being a moral insti- 
tution ! Save me and mine from all such morals as 
flow from a drinking-saloon, whether managed by 
the State or by an individual! If whiskey drink- 
ing is an evil, then whiskey selling, for the purpose 
of drink, is an evil, and I am not able to see how 
the practice of an evil can contribute to moral 
growth. Moreover, the institution is founded on 
opposing principles. It is moral in that it restrains 
the evil; it is profitable in that it encourages the 
vice. It is a moral and financial enterprise, and the 
one can prosper only to the extent that the other is 
defeated. The profit feature makes it to the inter- 
est of the State, town and county to do a large busi- 
ness, and until human nature undergoes a great 
change we all know jiist what the result will be.” 

‘‘But prohibition is purely a question of morals, 
and we cannot legislate morals into a people.” 

“I grant you that you cannot legislate morals 
into the people, but you can legislate the people 
into moral conduct and put down open immorality. 
Every State has its Sunday laws, and punishment 
awaits the man who violates them. No man dare 
disturb a religious gathering; and, if he does, pun- 


THE WAY TO WIN 51 

ishment is meted out to him. If you slander me or 
libel me, you must respond in damages — and many 
other illustrations might be given. Now, these are 
all questions of morals, and yet we have laws gov- 
erning them. They are enacted pro bono publico. 
Nobody supposes for an instant that the law for- 
bidding the desecration of the Sabbath will awaken 
a reverential feeling for the day in any man, or the 
law forbidding the disturbance of a religious meet- 
ing will plant the germ of Christianity in his heart, 
but we have the laws, and men, nolens volens, are 
compelled to assume the vestments of moral de- 
portment.” 

“If the State should adopt this Dispensary sys- 
tem, what think you would be its tendency and 
effect?” 

“Its effect would be unfortunate, for it tends to 
corruption. This is conceded, when applied to the 
individual, and it is equally applicable to the State 
because the business is the same. It tends to cor- 
rupt official life. Again, it is certain to become 
a political machine for corrupting and controlling 
the voters. It will have its ramifications in every 
city, town and county, and the party in power will 
use it for selfish purposes in the effort to prolong 
its existence. This is as inevitable as is the law of 
gravitation — ” 

“Spare me, Hamilton! Spare me!” exclaimed 
Dr. Blake. “I submitted to your moralizing out 
of consideration for your youth and inexperience, 
but now that you are going into politics, I beg to be 
excused from further suffering. But go to work 
and get the legislature to submit the question of 


52 THE WAY TO WIN 

prohibition to the dear people and I will support it. 
Thanks to Uncle Sam and the Inter-State com- 
merce law, it will in no wise interfere with me, and 
I am the most generous of good fellows — when it 
costs me nothing. But why in the name of com- 
mon sense Dick should sit here and allow you to 
irrigate him with your cold-water lecture is more 
than I can understand, for he agreed with you from 
the beginning, and for some time he has been try- 
ing to pump his bilge-water doctrine into me.” 

“I assure you, Gus, I have been highly enter- 
tained. But you are not law abiding. You shake 
your money bags in the face of the law and bid it 
defiance, and, at the same time, by your vote, you 
fasten it on the poor man who must submit. I call 
that consistency with a vengeance.” 

“Poor man ! The stepping stone of the political 
demagogue who swindles him out of all that he 
has — his vote — with the promise of many good 
things manufactured by the man in the moon. You 
talk about evading the law, and you a judge on 
the bench ! Evading, indeed, when I am moving 
within the law and upholding Uncle Sam and the 
Inter-State commerce law in the teeth of strong 
opposition! Your poor man no doubt has a yard 
full of dogs, a frowsy, freckled-face wife, and 
enough white-headed children to line the fence to 
his front yard, and the little money that he has is 
needed at home. He is nothing to me, and yet my 
vote is cast with an eye to the welfare of himself, 
his family, and his dogs. Yes, I say it is a distin- 
terested and generous act on my part. But I am 


THE WAY TO WIN 53 

tired of trying to keep you straight on moral, legal 
and political questions. 

“Now, Hamilton, by way of answer to the mor- 
alizing, hair-splitting, subtle refining of your tem- 
perance lecture, allow me to tell you an anecdote. 
I had been East a few years ago, and on my return 
I stopped over in Washington. I was killing time 
along the street one day when I unexpectedly met 
with Bob Taylor, who was engaged in the same re- 
munerative business. Dick, you remember Bob — 
a big-hearted fellow and a man who never went 
back on a friend. Well, we had been friends from 
boyhood, and after a separation of many years 
we had a good deal to talk about. There was a 
place for refreshments near by, and we went in to 
get a little of the needful to burnish up the pictures 
that hang in Memory’s Hall. We had just called 
for our medicine, when two strangers entered. One 
of them said to the attendant, ‘Give me my usual 
cock-tail,’ and turning to his companion, he asked, 
‘What w'ill you take?’ Number two answered, ‘I 
will take a glass of water.’ Number one looked 
him over for a minute and said, ‘You remind me 
of a discussion that took place down in my country 
between two Baptist preachers. Would you like 
to hear about it?’ ‘Yes, go ahead, as told by you, 
I know I will enjoy it.’ ‘That depends,’ said num- 
ber one. ‘One was a young man fresh from the 
seminary, and, like most new graduates, he was 
running over w'ith information — knew everything 
and just a little more. The other was an old man 
who had preached to the same backwoods congre- 


54 THE WAY TO WIN 

gation for more than a quarter of a century. The 
water moccasin had bitten the young man, he had 
water on the brain and he was effervescing with 
temperance oratory. You know every score of 
years brings a deluge of that sort upon the country. 
The old man had no objection to a dram. He had 
enjoyed it from his boyhood. Age had not les- 
sened its pleasure and, as a good churchman, he 
believed in respecting and maintaining the customs 
of the Fathers. The young man had invaded the 
old man’s bailiwick and had sown seeds calculated 
to create a schism in his congregation. In the hope 
of reconciling conflicting elements and preventing 
a breach, a day was appointed for the preachers to 
meet at the church and discuss the temperance ques- 
tion before the congregation. When they entered 
the pulpit the house was packed. The young man 
had the opening and the reply. The fireworks were 
soon in full play. He declaimed vehemently for 
an hour, or more, in florid, lurid, fervent language ; 
and he. fumed, and he frothed, and he foamed. 
Fie painted many pictures for the enlightenment of 
his hearers and beseeched them to look at the ques- 
tion from a moral, a physical, a biblical, and a 
spiritual point of view — wflth the spirits left out. 
He sketched many torrid scenes and painted many 
glowing pictures with the heated colors of his im- 
agination. He sat down with the air of the con- 
queror and a smile which said, “Old man, answer 
that if you can.” The old man got up and went 
forward. He rested his hands upon the Bible and 
leaned out over the desk. He said, “My brethren, 


THE WAY TO WIN 55 

I’ve been here amongst you for a long time. I’ve 
been with you in your sicknesses, and I’ve tried to do 
you all the good I knowed how. I’ve gone in and 
out before you, and you all knows me and my 
ways, and I’ve never heern a word of complaint 
from any of you until this young man comes round 
with his new-fangled idees which he says you can 
find in the Bible. I’ve no doubt this young man 
means W'ell, but he don’t know what he’s talking 
about. Now, my brethren, I’m gwine to make a 
statement that’ll settle this question between me 
and him, and I dare him to deny it. My brethren, 
I’ve read my Bible from Ginisis to Revelations. 
I’ve studied my Bible and I’ve s’arched it through 
and through, but nowhar in all my Bible can I find 
but one man calling for water, and, my brethren, he 
was in hell, just whar he ought to be !” ’ 

“Number two was shaken with convulsions, and 
number one, without so much as smiling, took up 
his cocktail and began to slowly drain his glass. 
When number two had recovered words, he asked, 
‘And what became of the young man?’ 

“ ‘He slid out of the pulpit amid the riotous 
laughter of the entire congregation, and with sad- 
dle-bags full of temperance literature he made 
tracks, about four feet apart, for his horse, which 
he had hitched to a swinging limb. In the expres- 
sive vernacular of that section, he hasn’t been heern 
of in them parts since.’ ” 

“It is easy to burlesque or ridicule anything, but 
I did think that you knew that neither the one nor 
the other is argument.” 


56 THE WAY TO WIN 

“True, Dick, but either of them will sometimes 
knock out the bull’s-eye where argument fails even 
to reach the mark. But we will postpone the dis- 
cussion of that momentous question and go out on 
the piazza, smoke a cigar, pass round a dish of 
gossip, and let the air cool that prohibition wine 
which you have been drinking. Come on, Hamil- 
ton, you will find the judge a perfect gormandizer 
when it comes to gossip.” 

As they were leaving the table he said, “Dick, 
did you get a telegram from. Kate this evening?” 

“Yes, she will be here to-morrow.” 


CHAPTER VI 


It was the evening of the fifth day after the pro- 
hibition discussion that Dr. Blake called to see Dr. 
Hamilton and was ushered by the office boy into 
the private room. When he entered, Hamilton 
w’as reclining on a lounge, and Dr. Blake ex- 
claimed: 

“There you are, as I might have expected. You 
young fellows have no ‘git up and git’ in you. You 
all spend your time in lounging and lying. What 
have you done that you have been hiding the last 
few days?” 

“Well, good lying is a science and good lounging 
is comfortable, and the combination of the two of 
course makes a comfortable science. Having got 
rid of your froth, sit down and I will tell you. 
When I left you and the judge in the enjoyment 
of your feast of gossip, I came direct to my quar- 
ters, and in a short time I received a hurried call 
from Mr. Rudolph Seibert. I hastened to his 
house and found his daughter, an only child, in an 
agony of suffering, and the old man capering round 
the room like one demented and chattering like a 
monkey. I suppose you know him.” 

“Yes, I know him and his daughter. She is a 
beautiful girl of about eighteen summers, w'lth the 


67 


58 THE WAY TO WIN 

clear German complexion and a plump, symmet- 
rical figure. But what was the matter with her ?” 

“I found her suffering with intense pain in the 
head, the pupils of the eye very much enlarged, fre- 
quent flushings of the face, and the neck arteries 
swollen and throbbing.” 

“The devil ! A case of meningitis?” 

“Yes, a case of simpel and acute meningitis, and 
that, you know, means rapid relief or a quick 
death. I went to work In desperation with cold ap- 
plications, blood letting by venesection and leeches, 
administered a strong purgative, and began to feed 
her on nutritious foods, which she took in liberal 
quantities. Later on I had a beautiful suit of 
chestnut hair removed and applied ice caps. I did 
this with reluctance, but it was a necessity. I sat 
by her bedside for twenty and four hours, watching 
every change and fighting at the threshold every 
evil symptom until the crisis was passed, without 
so much as closing my eyes. The crisis having 
passed, I came to my rooms and had an unbroken 
sleep of twelve hours. I called to see her yester- 
day morning and found her rational and free from 
pain. I returned this morning to find her conva- 
lescing beautifully, and I dismissed the case. I 
mounted Hero this afternoon and took a two-hour 
gallop In the country, and on my return I found 
something which has embarrassed me no little — a 
letter from Seibert enclosing a check for one thou- 
sand dollars. It is too much and I want your ad- 
vice.” 

“It Is not too much. Keep the check. I know 


THE WAY TO WIN 59 

old Seibert well and I know him to be a big-hearted 
German. He honestly believes that you saved the 
life of his child, and you would only offend him if 
you were to return the check. Moreover, he is 
near the million point and will never miss the 
money.” 

“I have been wondering what induced him to 
send for me, for I have barely a speaking acquain- 
tance with him, and women, you know, generally 
object to unmarried physicians — ” Then, noticing 
a smile on Dr. Blake’s face, he added, “You have 
been talking to Seibert about me?” 

“Seibert and I are good friends. We sometimes 
take a schooner together, and It may be, in hoching 
each other, that I have mentioned your name. As 
to Edith, — his daughter, — 1 have no idea that she 
knew anything about it. Women in cities do not 
object to unmarried physicians. I think they rather 
prefer them, as I know from experience before I 
practically retired. They know that any physician, 
worthy of the name, knows more about their make 
up than they themselves know. Further, women 
know from experience that secrets filter through 
unmarried physicians less readily than through the 
married physician whose wife prods him and, since 
he must have some peace, he tells her, and she of 
course must gossip with one or more of her very 
dear friends. The senseless and mock modesty, to 
which you refer, may linger in the country and coun- 
try towns, but you will not find It In cities. There 
it is, as it should be, merely a question of business 
and efficiency.” 


6o 


THE WAY TO WIN 

The opera was ablaze with light. The parquet 
was filled from the stage to the parterre, and the 
private boxes filling rapidly, for a distinguished 
cantatrice was to occupy the stage that night. 
Judge Somers, Dr. Blake, and Kate were in the 
Somers box, as Hamilton, in evening dress, accom- 
panied by Seibert and V an I'romp, made his way 
to his box with the beautiful opera glass of his 
rollicking days in his hand. 

When Dr. Blake saw him conducting Seibert 
and Van Tromp, he exclaimed: 

“Shade of Talleyrand! What diplomacy! Did 
you see him?” 

“See whom,” said Kate. “Talleyrand? No, 
and from what I know of his career I have no de- 
sire to see either him or his shade.” 

She had seen and recognized Hamilton as he en- 
tered his box with Seibert and Van Tromp. 

“Fudge! I meant Hamilton. Did you see 
him?” 

“I thought you mentioned Talleyrand. You 
forget that I have been absent for several months 
and that this medical wonder, if I am to believe 
the half you say about him, escaped from his co- 
coon during my absence. You must remember that 
I have never so much as had an introdutcion to this 
paragon of blood-letters and pill-makers. Where 
is he?” 

“Are you trying to be sarcastic ? Feminine acid- 
ity is so natural and so superabundant that it ought 
never to be cultivated. Look along the second row 
until you come to Seibert and Van Tromp. You 


6i 


THE WAY TO WIN 

know them, and you know that Seibert is king 
among the Germans and that Van Tromp hopes to 
be his son-in-law.” 

She gave a quick glance along the boxes, saying: 
“I see them and I suppose, from what you say, that 
the gentleman sitting with them is Dr. Hamilton.” 

“Yes, that is he, and I admire his diplomacy. It 
is masterly.” 

“Diplomacy! Really, Uncle Gus, I fail to un- 
derstand you. It all seems very natural to me. 
I understand that Dr. Hamilton attended Edith in 
an alarming case of illness and effected a surprising 
cure. Of course, Mr. Seibert is grateful and Van 
Tromp could not be ungrateful to the man who 
saved his fiancee. In addition, the performance 
to-night is taken from the German composers.” 

“Pshaw! Crawl off, Kate; you are dense to- 
night and you make me tired.” The doctor turned 
resolutely from her to the stage, while Kate put 
her handkerchief to her face to hide a smile. 

In the meantime. Jack and his friends had got 
themselves comfortably seated and had begun to 
look the audience over. Jack lifted the glasses to 
his eyes and studied the pit for some time. Fin- 
ishing his survey of the pit, he began to sweep the 
boxes, one by one, and Kate, who had been secretly 
watching him, looked away as the glasses came to 
her box. She was conscious that they lingered on 
her person and, in spite of her will, she felt herself 
slightly flushing. Jack looked no farther; he low- 
ered his glasses; he knew that he had seen his pa- 
tient of the wreck; he was satisfied, and turned to 


62 THE WAY TO WIN 

the stage, remarking to Van Tromp, as he did so, 
“It is a grand audience and does credit to the 
city.” 

The performance was a great success. Any at- 
tempt to describe it would be idle and boring to 
those who are familiar with such scenes, while to 
picture it, with any hope of enabling those who are 
not familiar to understand, would be mere folly 
and a waste of paint. The prima-donna was en- 
cored again and again, to which she always prettily 
and modestly responded by reappearing and bow- 
ing. But the triumphant and bird-like notes of her 
last song so enwrapped the house with enthusiasm 
that the audience would not quiet with her reap- 
pearance and a bow. The audience continued to 
encore and call until she came out upon the stage 
again and, when stillness was restored, said: 

“My friends, I am deeply affected by the beau- 
tiful ovation you are giving me. You must all 
know that I am very fond of ballad singing; that I 
am now in my native land, and while it has been 
my fortune to wander in many countries, my heart 
has been ever with my childhood’s home.” She 
then sang. Home, Sweet Home, with a pathos and 
power that have been rarely equaled, for the 
words were pulsing with heart throbs. There were 
aching throats and brimming eyes at the ending of 
the song. There was a moment of eloquent silence, 
and then the house shook with applause, amid 
which the singers disappeared, the foot-lights went 
out, and the audience began to make for the doors. 

As Jack was passing the Somers box on his way 


THE WAY TO WIN 63 

out he found the occupants still waiting, and at the 
door was Dr. Blake, who said: 

“Hamilton, I want to see you a minute, but you 
must come in here ; you can’t keep your feet against 
this crush.” 

Jack stepped in, and the doctor, evidently to the 
surprise of Kate, who was standing up and in the 
act of returning the salutation of a gentleman, 
turned to her, saying : 

“I want to introduce you to this bundle of female 
rights* — Miss Somers, Dr. Hamilton, and vice 
versa. When we can catch her in a good humor 
and not mounted and riding her hobby, we call her 
Kate.” 

Jack was in the act of making his most perfect 
bow, when Kate stopped him by reaching out her 
hand and saying: 

“Dr. Hamilton, since my return home I have 
heard Uncle Gus speak of you in such a way as to 
make me anticipate this meeting with pleasure.” 

She was looking into his eyes as she said this, 
and she spoke with the perfect ease of the society 
woman and without the slightest trace of embar- 
rassment or recognition. 

“I am fortunate in my spokesman,” was Jack’s 
reply, as he received her palm into his own. 

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” continued Kate. 
“He hasn’t gone beyond the professional lines as 
yet, but I must confess that he awakened my curi- 
osity when he spoke of you as the whole of the 
surgical and medical sciences in full flower.” 

“Hamilton, please conduct that Sapphira to her 


64 THE WAY TO WIN 

carriage before she falls down and has to be car- 
ried out. Dick, there Isn’t a widow left In the house 
to see you, so stop your posing and come on.” 

As they passed out. Jack said : 

“Did I understand you to say you had been ab- 
sent from the city?” 

“Yes, I spent the winter In California with a 
classmate and had a delightful time. The climate 
Is perfect, as good as that of Italy.” 

“Your appearance Is proof that It agreed with 
you.” 

“Appearances are sometimes misleading. Al- 
most anything agrees with the person In health, 
and my health has always been perfect.” 

“From what Dr. Blake said, I thought perhaps 
you had been on a lecturing tour, advocating 
woman’s rights.” 

“Oh, that Is some of Uncle Gus’s nonsense.” 

“And yet you allow his nonsense to excite your 
curiosity?” 

“Certainly, why not? And then you know It Is 
sometimes hot only amusing, but entertaining to 
take the measure of his nonsense.” 

By this time they had reached the carriage, 
where the Judge and Dr. Blake were waiting for 
them. Before entering, Kate said: 

“Dr. Hamilton, as I told you, I have been absent 
from home all the winter. On next Thursday 
evening I give a little party — the number Is limited, 
but If you will come we will make room for you.” 

“I will come. Do you remember the tradition 


THE WAY TO WIN 65 

of the Eastern philosopher who applied for admis- 
sion into a certain school?” 

“I can’t recall that I have ever heard of such a 
tradition.” 

“I will tell you Thursday evening if you care to 
hear it,” and he bowed the carriage away. 


CHAl^TER VII 


The imposing residence of Judge Somers was 
situated upon an elevation and back about one hun- 
dred feet from the street, in the midst of a grove 
of native trees of magnificent growth. The place 
was ‘richly shaded and the lawn was beautifully 
kept. The surroundings bespoke a haven of undis- 
turbed rest and quiet comfort, free from the hum of 
the busy crowd and the rattling din of passing 
wheels. Watching the trend of its growth. Judge 
Somers had bought the site when the city was in its 
infancy, and at a cost trifling in comparison with its 
present value. 

When Hamilton entered on the evening of the 
reception, he was met by Dr. Blake, Kate, and her 
companion. Miss Stuart, who was assisting her in 
receiving and to whom he was introduced. She 
was a pretty, petite brunette, with merry mischief 
lurking in her black eyes. Kate was dressed simply 
but with exquisite taste, and as she stood with easy 
grace and quiet dignity in the gas light. Jack 
thought her, perhaps, the most attractive, if not the 
most beautiful, woman he had ever met. Who 
can describe or give expression to the subtle effect 
of an attractive and beautiful woman upon the 
masculine heart? Who can paint her in words and 

66 


THE WAY TO WIN 67 

“trick her off in air,” so as to present her as an ac- 
tuality to the mental vision? Regularity of fea- 
ture and symmetry of figure may enter into, but 
they cannot of themselv^es make the beauty of 
woman. These we may picture, but we miss the 
play of the animated features, the soul-lit eyes with 
the long lashes half veiling their light, the arch 
look, the Eoline music of the voice, gentle and soft 
and low; the confiding glance, the wooing smile, 
the sunny face aglow with innocence and pleasure. 

“Well, Kate,’’ said Dr. Blake, “the last of the 
laggards has come — turn on the foot-lights, run up 
the curtain, and on with the dance.’’ 

Hamilton looked at Kate inquiringly, who said: 
“That is some more of Uncle Gus’s effervescing 
nonsense. Since coming here, a german to close 
the evening has been suggested by some of our 
friends; but we are here for conversation and mu- 
sic, with billiards, and the german as altogether 
secondary.’’ 

“I was speaking merely with reference to the 
pleasure of our feminine triends, Hamilton, and 
to give them an opportunity to disport themselves 
in the one accomplishment in which they most excel, 
do dance well calls for lightness of foot and, I may 
add, lightness of head, because if the gray matter 
is in sufficient quantity to become addled with the 
gliding and rotary motion the foot will lose its 
cunning.’’ 

“I have wondered,’’ said Miss Stuart, “why it is 
that you are so fond of the ballroom, but now I 


68 THE WAY TO WIN 

understand. Your remark about the gray matter 
has enlightened me.” 

Dr. Blake made a face at her and said: “Ada, 
the remark was general and not intended to apply 
to you, so far as lightness of foot is concerned, be- 
cause it is a well-known fact that your partners, the 
day after the dance, are in need of ointment and 
can wear only slippers — further this deponent saith 
not.” 

“Uncle Gus, we know that all of Attica belongs 
to you. Do take charge of Dr. Hamilton and con- 
duct him, and don’t stand here wasting the super- 
abundance of your gray matter in badinage with 
Ada.” 

Conducted by Dr. Blake, he entered the draw- 
ing-room to find present about a dozen of each sex. 
With the men he had a speaking acquaintance and 
he was presented to the ladies. The conversation 
was immediately resumed, and it soon became ani- 
mated in reviewing the life of Shakespeare as a 
man, a poet, a scholar, a wit, an actor, an author, 
and as a student of human nature. 

Mr. Dalzell, continuing, said: “I take no stock 
in the theory that Bacon was the author of any of 
the dramas, or plays, or poems credited to Shake- 
speare, and yet there is a good deal that I cannot 
explain to my satisfaction without considering him 
a plagiarist.” 

“To what do you have reference?” said Judge 
Somers. 

“I refer to his want of scholarship.” 

“Some of the ablest and most learned critics. 


THE WAY TO WIN 69 

after Investigating this question, concede his schol- 
arship, and you must remember that he was a uni- 
versal genius and excelled in everything he 
touched.” 

‘‘I don’t think ‘concede’ Is the right word, for I 
have no doubt these same critics began their Inves- 
tigation with an earnest desire to find his scholar- 
ship. The weakness of posterity Is to apotheosize 
the past. It is there we find the giants, and tradi- 
tion clothes them with virtues and accomplishments 
unknown to their contemporaries. But here I think 
the facts are against the theory.” 

‘‘You know there was a good grammar school 
at Stratford. That is a fact. It Is also a fact that 
the mother tongue and the classics were well taught 
in such schools, better than they are at the present 
day, and upon this foundation the genius of Shake- 
speare built.” 

“Grant all that you say about the school and Its 
efficiency; where is the evidence that he attended 
the school for any considerable time, or that he 
was a student while attending?” 

“The proof Is to be seen in his plays, dramas, 
and sonnets, for It is admitted that he never attend- 
ed any other school.” 

“You beg the question. It seems to me the cold 
facts look the other way. That he was a poacher 
and. In his boyhood, stole deer and rabbits from 
Sir Thomas Lucy is not to be questioned. Now, 
the life of a poacher is not conducive to scholarly 
attainments, and this, coupled with the scurrilous 
doggerel that he wrote about Sir Thomas, shows 


70 THE WAY TO WIN 

that he was wanting in morals and that he led the 
life of a vagabond — so much so, that he was forced 
to leave Stratford. Again, his father was in 
straitened circumstances at this time, and William 
was early called on to assist in supporting the fam- 
ily; and, because of this, was put to the wool staple 
and butcher business. Add to all this, the fact that 
he ruined the woman he afterwards married, and 
we have proof, conclusive to my mind, that he must 
have been leading a dissolute and disreputable life 
in his boyhood.” 

‘‘A fair shot, Dalzell, a fair shot,” said Dr. 
Blake. 

“It is true he married Anne Hathaway, but I 
have no doubt that the ceremony partook of a mili- 
tary character. Afterwards, when he wrote his 
will, he forgot to mention his wife, and in order to 
show how dearly he loved her and how deeply she 
nestled in his heart, it was necessary to interline 
the will that she might receive the munificent be- 
quest of a ‘second best bed with the furniture.’ To 
this evidence of his family affection, add the fact 
that he died from a drunken debauch, and we can 
readily believe that the reputation of his boyhood 
clung to him as the years advanced. We can also 
easily understand that the man who would rob him 
of his good name would get something that would 
not enrich the taker. The old poacher was telling 
a simple, honest truth, and yet the world, for about 
three centuries, has been in a state of ecstasy and 
agape with admiration over what it is pleased to 
call the beautiful sentiment.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 71 

“I do not set Shakespeare up as a moral ex- 
emplar,” said Judge Somers, “but he is not the 
moral monster that you and Dalzell would make 
him. His writings prove this. No man can read 
and study him without being impressed with the 
fact that he fully appreciated the vital truths of 
Christianity. His contemporaries speak of him as 
‘gentle’ and ‘sweet,’ and Jonson in his ‘Discoveries’ 
speaks of him as a man ‘indeed honest and of an 
open nature.’ Such language and epithets could 
not be applied to a moral reprobate. But, admit- 
ting that he was wanting in morals, it does not fol- 
low that he was wanting in scholarship, and that 
is the question we are considering. The field of 
literature is dotted with men who lay no claim to 
morals and virtues, but who excel in learning and 
scholarship. As to his will, the law made ample 
provision for his wife, and Shakespeare knew it.” 

“If she was fortunate in law, she was certainly 
unfortunate in her husband. He made many be- 
quests in his will, and the fact that he forgot his 
wife in the original draft shows his indifference 
and want of affection. Dalzell, I will take a shot 
at the proof drawn from his writings and leave the 
scholarship to you. A man’s writings do not al- 
ways reflect his moral nature. Tom Moore wrote 
‘Come, ye disconsolate,’ and Byron wrote ‘Hebrew 
Melodies,’ and the latter somewhere says, 

“ ‘Devotion wafts the mind above, 

But heaven itself descends in love.’ 

But I have yet to hear that such passages have 


72 THE WAY TO WIN 

relieved this precious pair from being moral 
scamps and wily libertines. According to Dick, 
however, they are now standing near the Great 
White Throne waving palms in their hands and 
shouting hosannas to the Lord. Byron, also, gave 
us some sweet sentiments about the watch-dog’s 
honest bark and about an eye that would look 
brighter when the absent one returned, from which 
we would naturally infer that his domestic rela- 
tions were all that could be desired and that he 
was a most exemplary husband. No, such writ- 
ings only show that the most profligate men have 
their serious moments; that the spark of divinity 
breathed into them cannot be wholly drugged ; that 
at times it will assert itself — but they do not show 
character.” 

“I know,” said Dalzell, “that want of morals 
is no proof whatever of want of scholarship, and 
I referred to this merely to show that his youthful 
life was at war with that of the student. More- 
over, there is not only no proof, but there is not 
even a tradition, that he ever attended the gram- 
mar school at Stratford.” 

“It matters very little, Dalzell, when, where, or 
how he acquired his scholarship. That he was a 
scholar cannot be doubted. Upton credits him 
with considerable scholarship, and Ben Jonson, his 
personal friend, is of the same opinion. His 
writings prove him a master of the English lan- 
guage; his frequent use of Latin derivatives, in 
their radical sense, proves his knowledge of that 
language; his occasional use of French and Italian 


THE WAY TO WIN 73 

shows that he had given some attention to those 
languages, and his knowledge of law, as displayed 
in his writings, is more than that of the ordinary 
layman. These are facts that cannot be accounted 
for by saying that he was a universal genius; for, 
while genius may speed the learner, it cannot beget 
scholarship. What explanation will you give?” 

“As I said, I take no stock in the Baconian the- 
ory. It is the internal evidence to be found in his 
writings, the very illustrations which you give, that 
cause me to suspect him of plagiarism. We know 
that he was a wayward boy — there is no proof 
that he ever attended a school; we know that at 
eighteen he went to London and joined a company 
of actors ; we know that his friend Ben Jonson said 
that he knew but little Latin and less Greek. Such 
are the facts, and yet we find him cited as a master 
of English and familiar with the delicate shading 
of words; w’e find him using Latin derivatives in 
their radical sense, which calls for thorough knowl- 
edge. Under the known facts, it seems to me it 
might well devolve upon those who claim such 
perfect scholarship for him to explain when, where 
and how he acquired his learning. It may be ex- 
plained after the manner of Wolf’s explanation 
of the composition of the Iliad — which explana- 
tion, by the way, is now generally accepted. His 
theory holds that the Iliad is made up of many 
poems, or songs, by many authors, and handed 
down from generation to generation by wandering 
rhapsodists and professional minstrels, — among 
whom Homer was chief, — and that they were col- 


74 the way to win 

lected by Pisistratus and committed to writing 
after the introduction of that art. In like man- 
ner, I would, to some extent, explain the writings 
of Shakespeare. In the time of Good Queen Bess 
the stage had become an attraction, and dramatic 
composition, play-writing, and novel-writing had 
grown into popularity. That they met the ap- 
proval of the Queen was well known, and this of 
Itself would give favor and currency to such litera- 
ture. As a consequence, younger sons, and Impe- 
cunious men of ability and learning, in the hope of 
making an honest penny, and living In the public 
eye, contested for supremacy In this field of letters. 
Such was the fact when Shakespeare went to Lon- 
don and joined the school of actors. Possessed of 
a master mind, and conscious of great dramatic 
powers, he began to study the dramas, plays and 
novels of the day, and after a time he began con- 
testing for the prize. He was an indifferent actor, 
but gained popularity by writing upon well known 
and popular themes. Indeed, it might be safely 
asserted that he. In some instances, merely recast 
plays and dramas that were favorites with the 
people. He did not hesitate to adopt the very 
language of the author from whom he drew. His 
constructive faculty was on a par with his many 
other remarkable gifts, and I readily grant that 
the commonplace sayings of others, in passing 
through his wonderful mind, were transmuted Into 
poetry that will never die. But without compunc- 
tion he adopted the Ideas, the thoughts and, now 
and then, even the language of others, as his own; 


THE WAY TO WIN 75 

and had he lived In the present century the critics 
would have drawn the parallel column on him 
and damned him as a plagiarist. In this way he 
might have displayed a learning he did not possess, 
and we will never be able to say how much he 
really originated or how much he unconcernedly 
appropriated. But, understand me, I do not mean 
to undervalue him. In the literary world he is 
without a peer, and if he now and then appropri- 
ated the material of others, he fashioned it as only 
he could and clothed it with Immortality.” 

Judge Somers did not reply, but, turning to 
Hamilton, he asked: 

‘‘What do you think of the theory advanced by 
Dalzell?” 

“I have never studied the subject, and therefore 
I have no right to an opinion. One thing, how- 
ever, is certain. If Shakespeare did not write the 
dramas, plays, poems, and sonnets which have 
come down to us In his name, the author is un- 
known, and I can see no good reason for with- 
drawing them from him and marking them anony- 
mous. We have them as his and, like honest San- 
cho, I do not care to look a gift horse In the 
mouth.” 

“Hold, Hamilton,” said Dr. Blake, “not an- 
other word ! There is a modicum of sense in what 
you have just said floating around somewhere. 
Dick, you and Dalzell are a pair of old fossils. If 
you want to continue your lecture on paleology, go 
to the library, where you can mingle with your 
kindred dead to the relief of the living. Get out — 


76 THE WAY TO WIN 

you are back numbers — wet blankets — and let us 
young folks have our way. We want the frolic- 
some present and not the spectral past. Kate, 
what is it that you, Ada and Sue Maxwell have 
been bobbing your heads and gesticulating so vio- 
lently about? I have been w^atching you three for 
some time from the corner of my left eye in the 
hope of a dislocation and a fee.” 

“Uncle Gus, we have been discussing some of 
Plato’s teachings. Sue says — ” 

“What, that old fraud ! Why, he advocated the 
destruction of domestic relations, and believed in 
the community of wives and the pooling of prop- 
erty. He was the first to advance the doctrine of 
free love and communism. He must have been 
unfortunate in his marital relations, or got his 
ideas of domestic happiness from hearing Xan- 
tippe entertain his old schoolmaster, Socrates. I 
suppose you were discussing him from this point 
of view?” 

“No such thing I You are an abominable dis- 
torter and you know it. She says there is no such 
thing as Platonic affection, and Ada pretends to 
agree with her. Plato taught the contrary and, 
from experience and observation, I am inclined to 
agree with the old philosopher. What do you 
think of it?” 

“What do I think of Platonic affection? Well, 
I think it was the invention of his Satanic Majesty, 
and ever since he set it going he has been sitting 
close by enjoying the fun.” 

“Kate,” said Ada, “I am wavering, and since 


THE WAY TO WIN 77 

hearing Dr. Blake I incline to your side of the 
question. I never feel safe unless I am in opposi- 
tion so far as he is concerned. Dr. Hamilton, 
give us your opinion. You are not old enough to 
be cynical, and I hope you are too good-natured to 
slake your thirst with evil speaking.” 

“My, what a little spitfire!” interjected Dr. 
Blake. 

Hamilton was laughing when he asked, “Do 
you remember what Byron said of friendship in a 
woman?” 

“I can’t say that I ever knew, much less remem- 
ber the saying of that immaculate worthy upon this 
very important question.” 

“He says friendship in a woman is love full 
fledged, waiting for some fine day to fly.” 

Kate was looking him full in the face and, as he 
finished, remarked: 

“Dr. Hamilton, I am sorry you said that.” 

“I beg pardon, Miss Somers, it was Byron that 
said it,” replied Hamilton. 

“All the same, when asked for your opinion you 
adopted it as your own.” 

Hamilton flushed, and was entering upon his de- 
fense, when Miss Maxwell interrupted by saying: 
“But I do not consider the quotation from Byron 
pertinent, for there is a clear distinction between 
friendship and affection of the Platonic order.” 

“It is needless. Sue,” put in Kate, “to analyze 
and dissect, and it is difficult to appreciate imagi- 
nary lines. I suppose,” she continued with an iron- 
ical smile, “I must yield for the present, for the au- 


78 THE WAY TO WIN 

thorities cited are of great weight. Dr. Hamilton 
furnishes Byron and Uncle Gus furnishes his Sa- 
tanic Majesty — congenial spirits. Uncle Gus, I 
know, is always loyal to his friends, and I am sat- 
isfied that it was only after careful study of this 
invention, as he calls it, and candid consultation 
with its author, that he would offer it as the expres- 
sion of his opinion upon an esthetical question. But 
I do so hate to give up my faith in mental affection 
and unselfish friendship, that — ” 

Dr. Blake interrupted with, “Sue Maxwell, 
hand me your smelling bottle; I am almost suffo- 
cated with compliments — quick, or I swoon.” 

“Come down gently, gently. Doctor, and grace- 
fully, just as you think you have seen it done, and 
I will try and catch you. Knowing that I would 
meet the friend of his inventive Majesty, I left 
my nerves at home, and of course I never sus- 
pected that my vinaigrette would be needed. I’m 
so sorry!” 

“A/ tu, Brule! exclaimed the doctor, and, lifting 
his hands appealingly, he ejaculated, “Save me 
from my friends !” 

“Listen a moment,” said Hamilton; “I want to 
say something. I — ” 

“Hear, hear,” called Kate, clapping her hands, 
“Dr. Hamilton wants to say something. You girls 
stop your laughing while Dr. Hamilton says some- 
thing. Be quiet, Ada, and give Byron’s friend a 
hearing.” 

His voice was slightly vibrant as he continued: 
“Yes, Miss Somers is right. I want to say some- 


THE WAY TO WIN 79 

thing. I am not willing to be misunderstood and 
stood aside without a hearing. I agree with Miss 
Maxwell. There is a clear distinction between 
Platonic affection and friendship, and the dividing 
line is neither shadowy nor imaginary. The first is 
of the brain and purely intellectual; the second is 
of the heart and purely emotional. The existence 
of both is generally admitted and a common sen- 
timent is rarely, if ever, at fault.” Turning to Dr. 
Blake, he said, “T ox popttli, vox Dei, you know.” 

‘‘Hamilton, that is the voice of the demagogue 
and the refrain of the politician. Coming down 
through the centuries, I hear the shouts of the mul- 
titude and the cry is, ‘Crucify him, crucify him!’ 
There you have your vox populi. What do you 
say to that?” 

‘‘I answer,” replied Sue Maxwell, “that it proves 
the aphorism, for it was the people carrying out 
the designs of Deity that had been foretold cen- 
turies before.” 

“How about Aaron and his golden calf. Sue? 
The Israelites knew that the true God was only a 
short way off, on the near-by mountain, talking 
face to face with Moses, and yet it was the voice of 
the people that caused Aaron to make the golden 
calf. With what design of Providence you will 
try to dove-tail this yearling, I am at a loss to con- 
jecture. Faugh! I don’t believe that Providence 
had any hand in making that calf, but I do believe 
it was made through the general cussedness of the 
Israelites and the moral cowardice of Aaron. 
When cornered in argument it is really amusing to 


8o THE WAY TO WIN 

see with what complacency the followers of Calvin 
shelter themselves behind the divine decrees.” 

“Doctor, as I happen to know that you agree 
with me, I shall not pick up your gauntlet and give 
you an opportunity to shift the argument.” 

^^Vox poptili, vox Dei!" exclaimed Dr. Blake. 
“There never was a greater fraud wrapt up in so 
many words. With this cry Robespiere, Danton & 
Co. set the Reign of Terror going. Many other 
instances might be cited from history. But I am 
wasting my theology, as well as my knowledge of 
history and human nature, on a set of benighted 
heathen, and feeling that I have done my duty by 
you ornaments of the wall, I shall leave you in 
search of congenial companions and a little fun.” 


CHAPTER VIII 


The conversation became general, and wherever 
the doctor was found the fun became ‘fast and 
furious.’ Hamilton glided into it with the ease of 
the society man, and he was everywhere cordially 
received. All had been going ‘merry as a mar- 
riage heir for some time, when Dalzell stood up 
and said, “I am for a game of billiards, and I chal- 
lenge the company with Miss Sue for my partner.” 

' There was a silence for a moment, and then 
Hamilton responded, “If Miss Somers will play, 
I accept the challenge.” 

“How do you know I play the game?” 

“The fact that you have a private table is pre- 
sumptive evidence, as your father will tell you.” 

“On a rainy day, when I can’t go out, I admit 
that I do sometimes roll the balls about — merely 
for exercise, you know.” 

“I believe the game is played by rolling the balls 
about?” 

“Dr. Hamilton, I would be very sorry to disap- 
point you, for I feel assured we are beaten before 
the game begins. Mr. Dalzell is almost a profes- 
sional, and Sue handles the cue with the skill of an 
expert.” 

“All right. Miss Somers, we can do our best. 


81 


82 THE WAY TO WIN 

and if we can’t win we can learn of the victors how 
the game should be played.” 

The billiard-room was brilliantly lighted from 
above. Hamilton picked his cue with care, and 
turning to the table he placed a ball and sent it 
angling to the four sides. As he did so, Dalzell 
was looking on and said, “You find the table per- 
fect and I see you are no novice.” 

“I do not claim to be an expert.” 

“You are modest. Dr. Hamilton. No expert 
could have sent the ball with more skill, and I 
notice it stopped at the starting point. We will 
play three balls, and not more than three points by 
hugging them in the corner. Ada, you and Van 
Tromp keep the game. Miss Sue, it is not going 
to be an easy victory — so do your best, and gloves 
for the winning lady.” 

“May I ask,” said Hamilton, “what you mean 
by gloves for the winning lady?” 

“I mean that the losing party shall forfeit to the 
winning party a pair of gloves.” 

“Isn’t that a wager on the result of the game?” 

“Oh, no, it is intended merely as a compliment 
to the lady. Nothing more.” 

“But the compliment is to be determined by the 
result of the game. If you win. Miss Maxwell 
will receive the compliment; if we win. Miss Som- 
ers will receive it. It seems to me you make a dis- 
tinction without a difference.” 

During the conversation, Dalzell had been roll- 
ing the balls here and there along the table, and 
Miss Maxwell, who admired his skill, was watch- 


THE WAY TO WIN 83 

ing the touch of the cue and the turn of the ball. 
Kate had selected her cue and turned to the speak- 
ers, just as Dalzell stopped his ball rolling, and 
said: “I think there is a difference — the difference 
between a prize and a wager. Moreover, it is 
only a trifle, but it gives zest and interest to the 
game.” 

“A prize,” replied Hamilton, “is something 
offered by a third party to the contestants. Here, 
however, what you call the prize is furnished by 
the contestants themselves and the winning party 
takes it. Sugar coat as we may, it seems to me to 
be nothing short of a bet on the result of the 
game.” 

Hesitating for a moment, he added: “I am very 
sorry, Mr. Dalzell, that I accepted your challenge, 
and had I known it was subject to this condition I 
certainly would not have considered it. Van 
Tromp will play and I will assist Miss Stuart in 
keeping the count.” 

There was a look of surprise and something al- 
most akin to a sneer on Dalzell’s handsome face 
as he said: “Dr. Hamilton has set up a school of 
reform since he left the city of New York. Don’t 
you fear to soil your wings if you aid and abet the 
game by keeping the count?” 

The blood rushed to Hamilton’s face, and ebb- 
ing left it very pale as he replied in a tone of voice 
lower than usual: “It seems that Mr. Dalzell has 
been investigating my past, and I assure him his 
findings are of the utmost indifference to me. 
There is nothing that I wish to hide or conceal 


84 THE WAY TO WIN 

from his honorable pursuit, and I give him full 
license to retail his Information until he Is sur- 
feited with the pleasure. As Mr. Dalzell’s means 
may not have been commensurate with his desires, 
I will open a school of Information for his benefit. 
I Inherited a fortune of several hundred thousand 
dollars, and today, comparatively speaking, I am 
a poor man. There Is scarcely a game of chance 
at which I did not become an adept. In the begin- 
ning there was merely a desire to kill time. But 
such games soon began to pall, and then, to give 
them zest and Interest, we put up trifles on the re- 
sult. But trifles soon ceased to satisfy the appe- 
tite for zest and Interest, and It was not long be- 
fore I was forced to admit to myself that we were 
playing for moderate stakes. The passions grow 
with Indulgence as surely as the muscles strengthen 
with exercise, and I found the stakes so Immod- 
erate that I would place hundreds on the turn of a 
card or the whirl of a wheel. In London, In Paris, 
In Berlin, and elsewhere on the continent I led a 
life of gaiety and abandon that commanded the at- 
tention of even those pleasure-seeking cities. 
Sometimes I played desperately, but never long at 
one sitting. For several years I led the life of a 
sporting gentleman and rustled It with the sons of 
dukes and lords and bankers ; but, without knowing 
It, during all this time I had anchors cast to wind- 
ward — I was fond of my profession, I never 
drank to excess, and now and then the face of my 
dead mother would come back to me. A longing 
for home came upon me, and I returned to New 


THE WAY TO WIN 85 

York — ostensibly to practice a profession which 
I wore only as an ornament. For two or three 
years I floated in society and in general led a wild 
life. The state of my finances brought me to my 
senses and, like the prodigal, I determined to re- 
turn to my father’s house. I went back to the 
family hearth-stone and resolved to begin life 
anew. To do this it was necessary to reform. To 
reform, it was necessary to cut loose from the old 
associations of years and the habits of a past life, 
for to linger in the old ways is to cultivate the old 
life. Yes, I have set up a reformatory school, but 
I am sending only one scholar — myself. I am 
willing for others to do as they please. Trifles to 
them might be death to me, and I shall never take 
the risk. I deeply regret the necessity of lifting in 
this presence the veil from the charnel house of my 
past, but 1 felt it was better for me to tell the mis- 
erable story than to leave it to others. There is 
always hope of a man who has been blessed with 
a pious mother, for the seeds of her planting will 
bear fruit some day. I know that I am safe, for the 
mother’s trainings have come back to her boy; her 
teachings follow me wherever 1 go, and like a bene- 
diction from the home of the sainted dead her in- 
fluence is ever around me and about me. To-night 
I feel her fingers tangling in my hair as I kneel 
upon her knee and she leads me in that sweetest of 
childhood’s prayer — Now I lay me down to 
sleep — and if I cannot share in her strong re- 
ligious convictions, I can at least honor and respect 
them.” Turning toward the door, he added, 


86 THE WAY TO WIN 

“And now I must bid you good night.” Before 
Hamilton could reach the door, after bidding them 
good night, Dalzell called: 

“Dr. Hamilton, wait a minute.” 

Hamilton threw back his head and turned to 
him with a look of haughty expectancy. Dalzell 
continued: “I know your temper is justly tearing 
at its leashes, but I want you to remain and give 
me time to make my apology. In the presence of 
these ladies I wantonly wounded you, and in their 
presence I want to withdraw my every look and 
word. From my heart, I regret and take back 
every offensive word I said, and I ask that you 
forgive me and, if you can, forget that they were 
uttered.” 

Hamilton interrupted him with: “Don’t say an- 
other word, Mr. Dalzell, not another word! You 
have said all a gentleman could say, and the man 
that would ask more is no gentleman.” 

As their hands met, Dalzell continued: “When 
in New York, a few weeks ago, I incidentally 
heard from mutual friends that you were a society 
man, a loyal friend and a boon companion; but I 
give you my word that I neither asked questions 
nor did I hear anything derogatory to your char- 
acter as a gentleman. I heard nothing of your 
past history, and your details were as much a sur- 
prise to me as they must have been to these ladies. 
When you declined to play for the gloves, not 
knowing the reason, I frankly admit that I thought 
you were assuming a virtue you did not possess. 
Moreover, it sounded to me like a rebuke in a cov- 


THE WAY TO WIN 87 

ert way, and in a moment of irritation I spoke. 
Your frankness tonight conquered me and proved 
your manhood and your courage, and your reasons 
for refusing the glove contest I honor and ap- 
prove. The balls are waiting for the cue, what 
say you?” 

Hamilton looked at Kate, who shook her head 
and said: ‘‘Not to-night. I think we had better 
join our friends in the drawing-room.” 

As they passed out, Kate said to Hamilton, 
‘‘You have made a friend to-night.” 

He looked at her inquiringly, and she continued, 
“I mean Mr. Dalzell, and he is a friend worth 
having.” 

‘‘I hope I have made more than one friend to- 
night,” replied Hamilton. 

‘‘I am satisfied that Mr. Van Tromp was al- 
ready your friend.” 

“How about the ladies? I would like very 
much to have a friend among them.” 

“Oh, you know Byron says, ‘Friendship in a 
woman — ’ ” 

“Hang Byron,” interrupted Hamilton, “and 
forget what he said. I made the quotation merely 
to fall in with the humor of Dr. Blake. I do not 
believe a word of it.” 

As they entered the drawing-room. Dr. Blake 
called out: “Who has the laurel wreath? Let the 
victor place it on his brow that we may behold his 
glory.” 

It was Dalzell who answered: “We set up a 
mutual admiration society, and we were so pleased 


88 


THE WAY TO WIN 

with each other that we forgot all about the game. 
You have no idea how much we enjoyed each oth- 
er’s society, freed from the watchful eye of age 
and the envious eye of the callow young. Dr. 
Hamilton and I will try conclusions some other 
time — a pleasure postponed.” 

The evening had reached the musical stage, a 
sure sign that the couples in general were growing 
weary of each other and conversation had ceased 
to be entertaining. Several good performers had 
played instrumental pieces from the old masters, 
when Sue Maxwell was begged for a song. She 
really sang well, and gave two songs, with Ada 
singing the alto. Is it true that alto is generally 
sung by small women? 

The german failed to materialize, and toward 
the close of the evening a general call was made on 
Kate for a song. She excelled in vocal music and, 
like the birds, she sang because it was her nature. 
Her voice had a compass of two full octaves, and 
had been thoroughly trained by some of the best 
singers on both sides of the water — until it was not 
only bird-like, but it was flute-like. When the call 
was made she was standing near Hamilton. At 
first she gave no heed to the call, but on its repeti- 
tion she turned to Hamilton and said in a tone half 
of inquiry and half of assertion: “You sing?” 

“I admit that I have been known to try.” 

“I know you sing and that you have a barytone 
voice. Come, I want you to sing with me and give 
these people a pleasant surprise.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 89 

As they went to the piano, she said, “I prefer 
ballads.’’ 

“I quite agree with you — less science but more 
melody.” 

Seating herself and running her fingers over 
the keys, she said, “I am going to give them Annie 
Laurie. I think you are familiar with it.” 

Hamilton nodded his head, and she fell into a 
soft accompaniment, and began to sing in that pure 
and flute-like tone that is seldom heard off the 
stage. At the end of the first line she glanced up 
and Hamilton joined her with his mellow bary- 
tone. Their voices blended beautifully, the execu- 
tion was perfect, the words went panting with emo- 
tion to the hearts of the listeners, and at the close 
of the song there was more than one glistening eye. 

There was a clamoring for another song, and 
Kate responded with Coming Through the Rye. 
Hamilton joined her. She finished amid applause 
and demands for more, but she rose up, resolutely 
saying, “No, the humor is not upon me to-night, 
and to sing well the feelings must mingle with the 
song.” 

“Come, Kate, you are no bread and butter Miss, 
and you ought to know you are too old to be put- 
ting on airs. I want to hear Hamilton again. It 
has been a long time since I heard anything equal 
to his barytone.” 

“Uncle Gus, you are treading on forbidden 
ground. I thought you knew that it is rude to re- 
fer to a lady’s age in company. To think of the 
time I have wasted on you, trying to teach you 


90 THE WAY TO WIN 

manners! I have no objection to hearing Dr. 
Hamilton’s barytone again, but I decline to pull 
the chestnuts out of the fire for you. So far as I 
am concerned, I know when to stop, and that in 
my opinion shows not only something of intellect, 
but an insight into human nature worthy of great 
commendation. 

“My dear girl, compared to you Minerva was 
a mere tallow-dip. I have a feeling appreciation 
of the sentiment wrapped up in your closing re- 
mark, and 1 am delighted to agree with you — it is 
so seldom. Few persons, particularly public speak- 
ers, know when to quit. If they have made an in- 
different beginning, they wriggle on, trying to im- 
prove, and only wriggle deeper in the mud. If 
they hav'e made a happy beginning, they think they 
can keep up the pace, and too often continue until 
they end in platitudes. They haven’t got sense 
enough to know that when they get the iron hot, 
the striking consists in quitting.’’ 

“Yes,’’ remarked Dalzell, ‘‘it has always been 
a matter of surprise to me that any man could sup- 
pose he could go on saying good and entertaining 
things by the hour, or that he could be so poor a 
judge of human nature as not to know that atten- 
tion can be held in tension only for a short time.” 

“And yet such cattle,” said Dr. Blake, “are 
numerous, especially among preachers. By the 
way, I think I can give the inspiration of Kate’s 
closing remark. Last Sunday Kate managed to 
inveigle me into going to church with her. Of 
course we went to hear her pastor — Rev. Dr. 


THE WAY TO WIN 91 

Strong. Being a Presbyterian, he believes in John 
Calvin, John Knox, Jonathan Edwards, and all 
the other Johns and Jonathans, and in final perse- 
verance, which last, to do him justice, he exempli- 
fies in his sermons. I noticed that Kate got fidgety, 
shifted her posture and position every now and 
then, and was, more or less, attentive to the 
dresses and headgear of the women; but, poor 
child, I had no idea that she was really suffering. 
Well, I held on until he struck fifthly, and then I 
went to sleep — mentally you will understand — 
and I did not wake up until he was pronouncing the 
benediction. Of course, I sat apparently staring 
at the preacher, but I neither saw nor heard him; 
and I will bet a last year’s bird-nest against a dress- 
suit that nine-tenths of the congregation were in 
my condition. Nowhere on earth can you find 
another set of men so madly and so insanely in love 
with the sound of their own voices. They forget 
that even a young man went to sleep in a window 
and fell down dead under the masterful preach- 
ing of the mighty Paul. I have always sympa- 
thized with that young man, and I believe the inci- 
dent was recorded to show the effect and the dan- 
ger of long sermons.” 

“Uncle Gus, you are trying to be funny by slan- 
dering, which is not only bad taste, but bad morals. 
There was no inveigling about it, and you know 
that you are fond of Dr. Strong and that he is an 
able and eloquent preacher.” 

“Oh, yes, I admit that he is Strong, if that will 
satisfy you. But I was not speaking of his ability 


92 THE WAY TO WIN 

or his eloquence, but the length of his sermons, 
and I stick to it. Any man who imagines that he 
can preach twice every Sunday to the same congre- 
gation for an hour, or more, each time, and fur- 
nish a luncheon, by way of a prayer-meetmg in the 
middle of the week, and hope to entertain all the 
time is entitled to long ears. A sermon to do good 
should be short and practical and pungent. All 
else is vox et proetera nihil. A sermon that fails to 
penetrate the conscience is a failure.” 

“A Daniel come to judgment; yea, a Daniel,” 
was Kate’s remark. 

“Sarcasm is not argument, my dear girl, a fact 
which I hope you will not forget. But say what 
you may, your own experience approves of all I 
have said. As you intimate, I am a Presbyterian 
by education, at least, but I am not blind to their 
shortcomings, or rather to their longcomings. For 
instance, take that second prayer, which must al- 
ways be some fifteen or twenty minutes long, as if 
the Lord would forget the wants of his people un- 
less his attention is called to them in retail and in 
detail.” 

“Doctor,” said Hamilton, “you remind me of 
what I once read of a certain society man. He 
went everywhere, was a great success and was in 
great demand. ' When asked how he managed to 
make himself so popular, he said, in substance, it 
is very simple. Of course I know where I am go- 
ing and have reason to suppose I will meet with 
certain people. Before going I think over such 
topics and themes as will probably be entertaining 


THE WAY TO WIN 93 

to the company, pass them through the mind in a 
conversational way, making an opening here and 
there for an anecdote and preparing at this point 
or that point to get off a bon mot. After some gen- 
eral conversation I begin to maneuver its flow into 
the prepared channels. This Is much easier done 
than anyone who hasn’t tried it would suspect. 
Being somewhat prepared, you can be more or 
less brilliant all along the line. You keep this up 
until you have told your anecdotes and fired your 
bon mots. Reserve the best for the last and leave 
before Its flavor has lost Itself upon the social 
palate.” 

“That’s the Idea, Hamilton, and your anecdote 
is a happy illustration. He was a fine judge of 
human nature, if he did make a science of his pleas- 
ures. His leaving was always a regret to the com- 
pany, and I’ll warrant that he was not only a social 
success, but he was considered a brilliant talker and 
a great wit. But we have preached enough about 
prosy preachers. I want some more music — none 
of your scientific, double, seml-deml-hemi quivers, 
but the good old-fashioned melody to be found 
only in coon songs. Van Tromp, hand Ada that 
banjo that Kate has tried to hide behind the 
piano.” 

“Oh, no. Doctor!” Ada exclaimed. “Give me 
the guitar and I will try and amuse you a little 
while.” 

“Not a bit of It. I don’t want any of your Span- 
ish serenades to-night. I want melody and a plenty 
of it. Give her the banjo. Van Tromp. She can 


94 the way to win 

beat Sweeney in his best days, and you must help 
her with your bass and Dalzell with his tenor.” 

Entering into the spirit of the doctor, Ada took 
the instrument, which was a beauty of its kind, and 
soon had the strings in order. After picking the 
harmonies with skill and power, she threw back 
her head and sang ‘Jine the Cavalry’ to the accom- 
paniment of her flying fingers, with a zest that 
showed that it was a favorite and that she was 
swayed by its melody. Dalzell and Van Tromp 
joined her, and the company, catching the enthu- 
siasm of the player, rose to their feet applauding. 
Dr. Blake called out: “Go it, Sweeney! I can 
see old Jeb with his golden spurs, his waving 
plume, and his flower-bedecked uniform, mounted 
on his charger and drinking in your music.” 

Kate, in the meantime, had made the circuit of 
the room among her guests, and had returned 
near the player, where Hamilton stood. Noticing 
the remark, he asked her why the doctor referred 
to General Stuart. 

“She is a kinsman and proud of it. Her people 
came from Maryland, and her father was a cousin 
german of the great Confederate leader.” 

“She is justified in her pride, for he was a great 
leader and the most knightly knight of them all. 
His was a spirit of chivalry, and had he lived in 
other days he would have led a crusade.” 

^ The song was brought to an end amid the clap- 
ping of hands and the waving of handkerchiefs. 
Ada sat toying with the strings for a minute, and 
answering to the call for another song she broke 


THE WAY TO WIN 95 

into Dixie. With flushed cheek and sparkling eye 
she sang with electrical effect, carrying her audi- 
ence with her. Doctor Blake called out: “Just 
look at the little rebel ! She hears the blast of the 
bugle, the roll of the drum, and the tread of armies 
as they rush to the conflict.’’ 

“Her heart is in her songs,” said Hamilton to 
Kate. “How she loves the memories of the Lost 
Cause !” 

As she finished the song. Dr. Blake said to her: 
“Why, Ada, you little piece of unreconstructed 
porcelain and never-give-up-ableness, I do believe 
5’ou have not realized that the civil war has been 
over for more than a score of years.” 

“Well, it depends upon the standpoint from 
which you look.” 

“What do you mean? You will have to explain 
that chunk of wisdom.” 

“I mean that, though the actual fighting is over, 
the principle that brought on the fighting still lives. 
You know some wise somebody has said the sword 
may establish a fact, but it cannot alter a prin- 
ciple.” 

“But, my dear girl, the Confederacy was thor- 
oughly subjugated and surrendered at discretion. 
Is that not so?” 

“Oh, yes, I admit that the men of the Confeder- 
acy, during the first three years of the war, wore 
themselves out whipping the substitutes that you 
Yankees sent to the front, and at the end of the 
fourth year they were forced to surrender to num- 
bers from the West.” 


96 THE WAY TO WIN 

“What a viperous little vixen you are! A 
woman’s tongue is sharper than the sword, and I 
surrender. But what of the principle? You say 
it still lives, and I suppose we find its exponents in 
the strikes that now and then paralyze the 
country.” 

“You have heard that truth crushed to earth 
will rise again, and, as you say, the principle lingers 
in the strike. There it may be carried to excess 
and degenerate into license, but the same principle 
underlies it. It is a struggle against trusts and 
monopolies — in a word, against centralized power 
as opposed to individual rights. The men of the 
Confederacy believed that the States had reserved 
certain powers, or rights, when the government 
was founded; or as we would now express it, they 
believed in home rule, and they regarded these 
powers, or rights, as essential to the preservation 
of the Republic. The North claimed that these 
powers, or rights, were centralized in the General 
Government — war was the result; upon the ruins 
of the Confederacy a strong government has 
arisen, and we now have an empire masquerading 
as a republic. The history of Rome is repeating 
itself. The millionaires are growing insolent in 
their sway. Already the government is put to 
auction every four years in the election of our 
Chief Magistrate. There will come a clash be- 
tween the classes — a Caesar will arise, and then — 
the deluge.” 

“I admit the principles of the Confederacy live 
in Ada Stuart.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 97 

“Ah, yes, and in many another heart, and they 
will continue to live on forever, for they have their 
root in human nature. You may crush them out 
of sight for a time, but they will sprout again. Gal- 
ileo said the world moved. He was forced to re- 
cant, but he muttered to himself, as he rose from 
his knees, it moves for all of that.” 

As Hamilton, in company with Kate, turned 
away, he remarked, “She is intensely in earnest.” 

“Yes, the Confederacy and its leaders is the one 
subject upon which she goes wild; but I can appre- 
ciate her feelings, for more than one of her people 
perished in the land of Dixie.” 

“There is some truth in what she says, but it 
must be taken cum grano salts. Some of the mili- 
tary leaders of the Confederacy were truly great 
men. The campaigns of Lee are the study of 
Europe, and Jackson in the Valley is the rival of 
Napoleon in Italy. The day is coming, if it has 
not already come, when we will willingly claim 
these men for our countrymen, for they are our 
countrymen, though battling in a mist-aken cause. 
The fact that we outnumbered them ; that it took 
a billion of money and a struggle of four years 
before we could triumph over them; that we met 
with many and terrible reverses, proves one of two 
things — either that these men were military giants, 
or that the leaders we sent to meet them were mili- 
tary pigmies. I know it is difficult to give a just 
measure of praise to the men who made us suffer, 
but if our people would only think they would 


98 THE WAY TO WIN 

know that, in belitting these men, they are engaged 
in the hurtful business of throwing boomerangs.” 

^^Poeta nascitur non fit; but isn’t it equally true, 
doctor, in the military?” 

“I think so. We have our schools where gen- 
eral rules are mastered, but nobody supposes for a 
moment that Napoleon acquired his all-conquering 
skill from what v/as taught him at Brienne. To 
make a great military chieftain there must be an 
intuition that points the opportunity and an inspi- 
ration that suggests the ways and means, and 
neither can be acquired in schools from books. As 
we have mentioned Jackson, I will tell you some- 
thing that I heard of him, and whether true or not 
it illustrates my idea. At the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, Burnside and his army were driven back 
from Marye’s Heights, and as the night closed in 
the Federal army found itself cooped up in the lit- 
tle town. It is said that Jackson went to Lee and 
assured him that the Federals were utterly demor- 
alized and begged that a heavy attack might be 
made; that the Federal army would either be cap- 
tured or would be rolled into the river. Jackson 
wanted to hurl the whole Confederate army, as 
one man, upon the enemy, and urged this course. 
Lee hesitated and finally refused, believing that 
the Federals would renew the attack the next 
morning. Jackson replied, ‘By morning they will 
be on the other side of the river.’ His intuition 
was right. It is fortunate for the world that it 
takes hundreds of years to mould a great mili- 
tary chieftain — Alexander — Caesar — Napoleon.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 99 

“May not the same be said of great poets? — 
Homer — Virgil — Milton. But I want to hear 
about your mother? You mentioned her to-night 
and I want to hear about her.” 

“Thank you! You have given me a theme of 
never-failing pleasure. She was a very handsome 
woman, above the average size, but graceful, and 
possessed of rare culture and attainments. I was 
her only child, and to me she was a loving mother, 
a joyous companion and a diligent instructress. 
Before going to bed at night she never failed to 
kneel with me, and with one arm thrown around 
me ask God’s guidance, protection and benediction 
upon her child. She died suddenly — cut off in the 
full bloom of her usefulness and her womanhood, 
and when I was but ten years old. But she lived 
long enough to imprint herself upon my heart for- 
ever, and her teachings are there ever welling into 
view and watering conscience. I have wandered 
far, very far, from the paths in which she would 
have me walk, but after my wildest dissipations — 
to hear of which would make you sick at heart — 
her influences have never failed to gather around 
me and recall me, if not to full duty, at least to 
honorable manhood.” 

When he ceased speaking there was a tremor in 
his voice. They stood a minute in soothing silence. 
Then in perfect cadence and softened tone he re- 
peated the lines of the poet : ' 


lOO 


THE WAY TO WIN 

“ ‘She clasped my hands and smiled, 

Ah ! then I was a child — 

I knew not harm — 

My mother’s arm 

Was flung around me; and I felt 

That when I knelt 

To listen to my mother’s prayer, 

God was with mother there. 

“‘Yea! God is sweet! 

She told me so; 

She never told me wrong; 

And through my years of woe 
Her whispers soft, and sad, and low, 
And sweet as Angel’s song 
Have floated like a dream.’ ” 


CHAPTER IX 


It was several weeks after the party at Judge 
Somers’, when we find Dalzell calling at Hamil- 
ton’s office. In the meantime they had become 
fast friends. When his name was reported, Ham- 
ilton called out from an inner room, “Come in 
here, Dalzell.’’ 

Dalzell went in and found him engaged in his 
usual morning athletic exercises. As Dalzell came 
in, Jack said: 

“I was with Jim Ross last night, and I slept 
later than usual this morning. I could not leave 
him until 2 A. M. Jim, you know, met with an 
accident yesterday — his horse rearing and falling 
back on him.” 

“Yes, I heard of it. Is he seriously hurt?” 

“Seriously, but not fatally. He will be confined 
to his room for a few days. He will have leisure 
to recall the errors of his life and think over the 
many good deeds he might have done.” 

“The first is profitable, but I think the latter 
would not be very consoling to a sick man. But 
what are you doing here — stripped to the waist, 
with your skin glowing like a spread of pink?” 

“I took my morning bath, and my factotum only 
about fifteen minutes ago finished giving me a thor- 


101 


102 


THE WAY TO WIN 

ough rubbing with a Turkish towel. As you see. 

I have the gloves on, and when you came in I was 
engaged in punishing this bag. Take a seat and 
let me finish the job.” 

Dalzell sat down and Hamilton went to work. 
Dalzell was surprised at the power and rapidity 
of the blows, and seemed to be fascinated at the 
play of the immense muscles of the arms, back and 
around the neck, that rose and swelled under the 
exercise. 

“Hamilton, T would as soon play with the busi- 
ness end of a wild mustang as to try and stand up 
before you. Are you good at sparring?” 

“I have been thoroughly trained, and with safety 
I may say that I understand the manly art of self- 
defense.” 

“You are a man of peace. Why do you keep 
yourself in such perfect trim?” 

“In the first place, to develop my muscles and 
keep them hard and strong. In the second place, 
the exercise is healthful. In addition, we never 
know at what moment we may be called upon for 
all our physical manhood.” 

“Well, Hamilton, the nature of my business this 
morning is very different from that of pugilism. I 
am here in the interest of the Graces and the 
Muses, if you have time to hear me,” 

“Go ahead, Dalzell; I am through with my ex- 
ercise and I am all attention.” 

“My sister Inez came home a few days ago 
from New Orleans, where she had been spending 
several months with relations. To make merry 


THE WAY TO WIN 103 

over the coming, my mother proposes to entertain 
a few friends to-morrow evening, and I have called 
to say you are among the chosen few, and to ex- 
press my personal wish that you will make it con- 
venient to be present — the formal invitation is 
en route. I believe you never met my sister?” 

“No, that pleasure awaits me — until to-morrow 
evening.” 

“Our mother has a strain of Spanish blood and, 
as you know, she shows it, and Inez is a youthful 
edition of her mother. They delight to delve into 
the past and are fond of studying the ancestral 
tree. They claim that the blood of the Spanish 
grandee flows in their veins; and when you meet 
Inez if you will only converse with her in Spanish 
you will find yourself on the highway to her friend- 
ship and esteem. As to blood and such trifles, I 
have no time to devote to them. I leave all such 
to the women and accept their conclusions.” 

“It is a soft and pleasant language, and, as some 
one has said — it melts like kisses from a female’s 
mouth, and sounds as if it should be writ on satin. 
But I am sorry to hear you speak of blood and 
trifles as on a parity, for I am a strong believer in 
heredity.” 

“‘What can ennoble thieves and cowards,” 

Not all the blood of all the Howards.’” 

Quoted Dalzell. 

“True,” replied Hamilton, “but who ever heard 
of a Howard being either a thief or a coward? 
It is easy to trace family likenesses, and it is gener- 


104 the way to win 

ally conceded that physical qualities are transmis- 
sible. Why not the mental and moral ? The duty 
of the hour, and our statesmen are beginning to 
consider it, is to enact laws forbidding the inter- 
marriage of criminals and weak-minded persons.” 

‘‘You may be partly right,” said Dalzell, ‘‘but 
there are certainly two sides to the question. We 
seldom if ever hear of the sons of our great 
statesmen. For illustration, take the three men 
generally conceded to be the giants of our coun- 
try, — Webster, Clay, and Calhoun, — neither of 
them left a son of more than average ability. 
Look through the list — it is not long — and you will 
find that the rule holds good, with an apparent ex- 
ception here and there. The history of other 
countries reveals the same fact. The rule, as a 
rule, holds good, whether we look among histori- 
ans, poets, painters, military men, or elsewhere.” 

‘‘You seem,” said Hamilton, ‘‘to concede the 
question except the mental part of it. Here you 
have an apparent advantage, but I think your ar- 
gument more plausible than convincing. You de- 
rive from the mother rather than the father. Ob- 
servation supports this view, and it may safely be 
asserted that history confirms it when we look into 
the lives of our really great men and familiarize 
ourselves with the mothers that gave them being. 
I don’t believe you can find in history a man who 
exhibited great intellectual powers whose mother 
before him did not rise above the average in force 
of character and strength of mind. But why dis- 


THE WAY TO WLN 105 

cuss this question, for I am persuaded you believe 
in blood as much as I do?” 

Dalzell was smiling as he said: “Well, Hamil- 
ton, you are partly right and wholly wrong. Yes, 
I believe in blood and that it will tell, and I am as 
proud of my lineage as you can possibly be of 
yours, which, I understand, you can trace back until 
it is lost in the early mists that hang around the 
Scottish hills. I admit that it takes three genera- 
tions to make the polished gentleman. It is in so- 
cial life that blood reveals itself most readily, and 
It is easy to detect the late-comer when we look to 
manners, and culture, and refinement. I have no 
faith, however, in your theory of mental transmis- 
sion — not a particle. This country has produced 
no greater man than Abe Lincoln, but where is his 
ancestry? Shakespeare is without a rival, and 
Burns is the sweetest singer of them all. Grant, 
the hero of our Civil War, was a tanner, and For- 
rest, the greatest of all the cavalry leaders, was a 
liveryman. Ney, who lives In history as the 
bravest of the brave, was the son of an obscure 
cooper, and Murat, the son of the hostler, in the 
terrible cavalry charge at the battle of Eylau, rode 
down upon the Russian ranks three lengths In front 
of the best blood in all France.” 

“If the fact could be ascertained,” Hamilton 
replied, “I have no doubt that each of them had 
a mother of unusual force of character and men- 
tal power.” 

“That may be so, Hamilton, but where is the 


io6 THE WAY TO WIN 

blue blood — the ancestral tree of which you have 
been talking?” 

“That '‘may he so’ of yours, Dalzell, hints a flag 
of truce, and we will drop the discussion. How 
about the entertainment? Will it be a large or a 
small gathering?” 

“It will be small — only a few friends. A crowd- 
ed room is a foe to comfort, and without comfort 
there can be no pleasure.” 


CHAPTER X 


Grace Russell, in company with certain friends, 
had been traveling for a year or more. After 
wandering here and there over England and Scot- 
land, she had toured the continent and had visited 
the land of the Nile. Kate, as the reader knows, 
had spent several months in California. As a 
consequence, the correspondence between these two 
friends had almost ceased. It was a day or two 
after Kate had entertained that she was pleasantly 
surprised by receiving a letter from Grace, who 
had returned from her trip abroad. There were 
some matters in this letter of interest to Kate. 
“Dear Kate : 

“I wrote you last from Florence. After casting 
anchor at home, getting thoroughly rested and 
coming to my normal self, among other questions, 
I asked about ‘my doctor,’ as I call him — only I 
named him Dr. Hamilton. You can’t guess my 
surprise, when his friend. Dr. Livingstone, told 
me he had left this city and is now living in your 
town. Dr. L. pretended to know very little about 
the whys and wherefores of his leaving. In fact, 
he seemed to be densely ignorant generally, but he 
believed he was engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession. Dr. L.’s pretended ignorance only sharp- 


107 


io8 THE WAY TO WIN 

ened my curiosity, and 1 asked others who knew 
less but told more. I found the recent arrivals, 
who had been so fortunate as to buy their way into 
society, claimed to be fully posted. You know they 
are a cheap lot and worship at the shrine of Mad- 
ame Grundy. Faugh! I detest their airs and 
the smell of the hay field that hangs around and 
about them. These new-borns, unfortunately for 
society, are not still-borns, and they prefer a dish 
of gossip to the nectar of the gods. From some 
of this set I learn that Dr. Hamilton went away on 
account of his poverty, not being able longer to 
hold his position in society. These slander-ducts 
tell fearful tales about how he squandered his for- 
tune in wild dissipation and nameless immorali- 
ties; when, for several years, he lived abroad. I 
listened to as little of this stuff as I could to be ra- 
tionally polite and gain the information that I de- 
sired. I assure you I was very careful to say noth- 
ing myself, for a dog that will fetch will carry. 
But I didn’t believe a word of it, for I know Dr. 
Hamilton to be a gentleman ‘from away back.’ 
You must excuse the slang, Katy, for it is most con- 
veniently expressive and supplies beautifully the 
place of certain expletives which men are fond of 
using when they wish to be very emphatic. It may 
be true that he has been unfortunate and has lost 
his money, but if he didn’t have enough left to buy 
a garment like to the one Adam used just after 
joining mother Eve in a dish of fruit, he would 
still be greatly superior to these mongrels who 
feed on slander and fatten on evil speaking. 


THE WAY TO WIN 109 

“I don’t know why I have written you all this, 
only it does make me indignant to see the carrion 
crows feeding on the fallen eagle. Now, Katy 
dear. Dr. Hamilton is in your town and you may 
meet him, and if you do, I want you to be kind to 
him. Don’t let any rumors that may have fol- 
lowed him influence you against him, for I assure 
you he is a gentleman. He has always lived and 
moved in the best society both at home and 
abroad — it is his native element — and I believe 
you will like him when you meet him. As many 
young men do, I suppose he may have sowed some 
wild oats in his younger days. Young men of for- 
tune and of spirit are apt to engage, more or less, 
in that kind of business. But the great majority 
of them soon get through with their oat sowing 
and, entering on the duties of life, they are the 
men who generally succeed. Of course, I am not 
speaking from my own observation and experi- 
ence, but from what I have heard my elders say 
about men whom I know to be most successful. 
The fact is, Katy, while we cannot openly admit 
it, the girls like a man who has a flavor of wicked- 
ness about him — just a hint of it — you know. It 
is human nature, and we all have more or less of 
that article in us. Now I have always thought 
your goody-goody men, who always carry through 
tickets in their vest pockets, better fitted for the 
skies than for this wicked world. We hear of 
these goody-goodies from papa and mama, you 
know, and they will do to talk about, but when 
you try to talk with them you find them without 


1 10 


THE WAY TO WIN 

flavor. In fact, some of them are so very, very 
good that they are really very, very dull. 

“Katy, coming over, I made the acquaintance of 
a Mr. Ralph Carson. He had been touring for 
months and had seen many of the same places and 
sights that I had seen, so we were at no loss for 
topics to talk about. Chit-chatting w'ith him, I 
found he was from Denver, and I asked him if he 
knew a hoyden of that city whose name is Kate 
Somers. He said he did, and thereafter, with you 
as a pedestal, we found ourselves upon a pleasant 
footing. He is handsome, and just to look at he is 
as fine a specimen of the man animal as I ever saw. 
At first I thought I liked him, for it is a girl’s weak- 
ness to fancy a handsome man, but subsequent in- 
terviews wore the fancy away. He carries too 
much polish. So much so that I felt that he was 
artificial rather than natural, and I don’t like ve- 
neered furniture, much less a veneered man. Then, 
too, he was given to fault-finding, and he was too 
fond of picking our ship acquaintances in pieces. 
My experience teaches me that such a man is a 
great admirer of himself and thoroughly selfish — 
a bad combination for family pleasantries and 
smoothing out the wrinkles of domestic cares. He 
stopped over in the city. He called last evening 
to bid me good-bye, and today I suppose he is on 
his way to Denver. But he was not sufficiently 
artificial to conceal one thing from me — his fond- 
ness for you. He never got tired of talking about 
you, and it mattered not what we might discuss or 


Ill 


THE WAY TO WIN 

talk about, before we could separate there was al- 
ways something about you. 

“Men are funny animals. They imagine them- 
selves very wise, commiserate the women weaklings 
and waste a good deal of time talking about the 
vine clinging round the sturdy oak and other like 
nonsense. Give us equal advantages and I believe 
we could make them hustle for the goal. In mat- 
ters of the heart we are far away and ahead of 
them. Let a man become interested in a girl and 
he must hang around and about and we can read 
him from afar. He must ask questions about her, 
he must be looking at her, and all the time he is so 
silly as to think he is not betraying himself. He is 
delightfully transparent. He imagines his ways 
are the ways of wisdom, and he thinks himself 
most diplomatically cunning in all his conv^ersa- 
tions and questions, but he is only amusing, and 
with our perception and intuition we read him like 
a book. 

“Whenever you hear a woman laughing, talk- 
ing, and asking questions about a man you may be 
sure that man has not entered the outer court of 
her heart — she is only flirting and romancing. But 
let her become interested and she ceases to talk — 
she closes like a clam. In company she can spend 
her time talking with the other fellow in such a 
pleasant, sprightly and animated manner as to 
set all the men present off on the wrong track and 
drive her sweetheart crazy — if he, too, is inter- 
ested. All the while she will keep one corner of 


II2 THE WAY TO WIN 

her eye on him, but I defy the world to catch her 
at it. 

“But, Katy, I am trying your patience, for you 
know more about such matters than I do, and we 
have often jollied and laughed over them to- 
gether. I thought, however, I would let you know 
I am still studying in the school of art. When you 
come to see me I will take my finishing lessons, for 
the perfection of art is to conceal art — and there, 
my dear Katy, you are perfect. Now, Katy, you 
must not mind my nonsense, and we will have a 
good time and some fun when we meet, for I know 
we have both had some funny experiences that will 
bear telling. 

“By by, till we meet. 


“Grace.’' 


CHAPTER XI 


It was a beautiful night and theyellowmoon was 
just putting on her silvery toilet as Hamilton 
reached the Dalzell mansion. He was received by 
his friend, who, turning to a lady standing by him, 
said : 

“Inez, my sister, this is my friend. Dr. Hamil- 
ton, of whom you have heard me speak.” 

“Since my return home my brother, Albert, has 
spoken of you so often and so pleasantly. Doctor, 
that I almost feel that we are not strangers.” 

“A bad beginning, I have heard, makes a good 
ending. Did he tell you that we almost quarreled 
at our first meeting, and but for his manhood and 
magnanimity we would be foes to-day instead of 
being friends?” 

With a smile lighting up her face, she answered, 
“Oh, yes, he told me all about that meeting; only 
he was so impressed with your manly manhood 
that he forgot to tell me anything about his own, 
except that he was a very naughty boy on that oc- 
casion.” 

Hamilton saw that she was simply but faultless- 
ly dressed in rich material, and her manners were 
as natural ahd unassuming as those of a child. She 
had great, mischief-brewing black eyes that looked 


113 


1 14 THE WAY TO WIN 

straight into his. Her Spanish blood showed in 
the faint orange tint of her complexion, and the 
dimples when she smiled were lurking places for 
playful Cupids. Her figure was a model, her pos- 
ture gracefully erect, and her glorious suit of black 
hair challenged comparison. She was without or- 
nament except a magnificent diamond at her 
throat that broke the light like a star. He in- 
stinctively felt that she was a charming and mag- 
netic girl, rejoicing in her young womanhood and 
scattering sunshine wherever she went. He re- 
alized all this in the brief interval of their ex- 
change of words, when Dalzell said, “Inez, when 
Dr. Hamilton is ready, conduct him to the draw- 
ing-room.” 

As they entered, Hamilton saw Kate and a 
strange gentleman standing near the center of the 
room engaged in a conversation which they both 
seemed to enjoy. Without a glance of recognition 
he passed on with Inez to her mother, and while 
exchanging greetings he shifted his position so as 
to get a good look at the stranger. He saw that 
he was handsome, of athletic build, modish in his 
make-up and of easy carriage. He was talking 
with animation, and gesticulating frequently and 
gracefully in a way to display a pair of shapely 
hands that a woman might envy. But the rather 
thin upper lip, the want of breadth between the 
eyes, the almost meeting of the eyebrows and the 
furtive restlessness of the brilliant brown eyes did 
not impress Hamilton favorably. He was engaged 
in an exchange of pleasantries with Inez and her 


THE WAY TO WIN 115 

mother while making these observations, but Inez, 
catching the now and then direction of his eyes, re- 
marked, “The gentleman talking with Kate is Mr. 
Ralph Carson.’ 

“And who is Mr. Ralph Carson?” was Hamil- 
ton’s questioning reply. 

“I thought perhaps you had met him. He be- 
longs to the city and to our set, but he has been 
absent for more than a year, traveling here and 
there and elsewhere beyond the waters. He only 
returned a few days ago. He is a great admirer 
of Kate, and the girls whisper among themselves 
that he would like to be more than a friend to her.” 

“And what does Miss Kate say? Does she be- 
lieve in the doctrine advocated by Mr. Blaine?” 

“You will have to be more explicit. Doctor. 
Mr. Blaine was a man of ability, and during a long 
political career he must have advocated more than 
one doctrine.” 

“True; I refer to his doctrine of reciprocity.” 

His eyes were resting upon Kate as he spoke. 
Inez not answering immediately, he turned to find 
her looking intently at him and, smiling, she said: 
“I may suspect, but I never betray. You must 
ask Kate.” 

Hamilton started in surprise, and there was 
something of hauteur in his manner as he replied: 
“Your language is equivocal. Will Miss Dalzell 
tell me what she suspects and whom she suspects?” 

“Dr. Hamilton must not take exception to what 
was intended as a mere pleasantry.” 

“I beg your pardon. Miss Dalzell, if by word or 


ii6 THE WAY TO WIN 

look I forgot myself. You have the advantage of 
me.” 

“On the contrary, from what Albert has told me 
about you, I hope you have the advantage.” She 
was still smiling good humoredly, and Hamilton, 
falling into her vein, threw up his hands, saying: 

“Be merciful! Your badinage and your play 
upon words are all conquering; but you forget that 
Miss Somers and I are acquaintances of but a few 
weeks.” 

Inez looked archly at him and said: “I didn’t 
know that either time or age had anything to do 
with such matters. Possibly she knows more about 
you than you think she does. I was at Vassar with 
Kate — a year behind her — and I know that she 
and Grace Russell were class-mates and room- 
mates, and that letters passing between them are 
filled with confidences. I have reason to believe 
that you have met Grace, as she moves in the best 
society that the city of New York affords, and that 
she may have mentioned you in her letters to Kate. 
This, however, is all conjecture. Granting that , 
you have met her, it may be that Grace has never 
given you a thought and, therefore, could not have 
made you the subject of an epistle. But, jesting 
aside, as hostess I have monopolized you too long. 

I see Kate and Mr. Carson looking this way, and, 
having made friends, I will take you to them.” 

When Inez presented Hamilton, Carson said: 
“I have heard of Dr. Hamilton at home and 
abroad, and it is a pleasure to meet him.” 

After exchanging a few words, Carson turned to 


THE WAY TO WIN 117 

Inez and Hamilton to Kate, who said: “The night 
I met you at the theater and invited you to meet 
some friends, you referred to a tradition which I 
have been trying to find, but I have failed. You 
must tell me about it, as you seemed to think it 
apropos to something I had said.” 

“You remember, as we were about to separate, 
you said you had arranged to entertain a few 
friends and that your list was full, but, if I would 
come, you would try and make room for me.” 

“Yes, I remember that I made some such re- 
mark.” 

“I asked if you remembered the tradition of the 
Eastern philosopher.” 

“And I answered that I had never so much as 
heard of it, and you promised to tell me about it.” 

“And so I will, but as we had met several times 
since and you had not referred to it, I took it for 
granted that you had either forgotten my promise 
or did not care to hear the tradition.” 

“Uncle Gus could tell you that I always exhaust 
myself before I call for help. I have tried and I 
have failed, and now I call to you for help.” 

“You are right. A man who is not willing to 
help himself is not worth helping. Self-reliance is 
the great essential to success. I can’t recall just at 
this moment where I met with the tradition, but it 
comes from the Orient. It tells us that somewhere 
in that dreamland, in the long ago, a celebrated 
school of philosophy was established. One of the 
rules governing the school limited the number of 
members to twenty-four. A philosopher, distin- 


ii8 THE WAY TO WIN 

guished for his learning and ability and with whose 
reputation the school was familiar, coming from 
abroad and ignorant of the rule, applied for mem- 
bership. The school was not only willing, but de- 
sirous of receiving him. The rule, however, would 
not permit. The hour was fixed for the philoso- 
pher to appear and receive the answer to his appli- 
cation. The president was instructed to make the 
answer as delicate as possible. At the appointed 
time the applicant for membership entered the 
school and, advancing to the desk, the president, 
amid profound silence, presented him with a gob- 
let crowned with water. Comprehending at a 
glance the signification, the philosopher was retir- 
ing in confusion, when he chanced to espy the petal 
of a rose lying on the floor. Picking it up, he again 
advanced to the desk of the president, and gently 
placing the petal on the surface without disturbing 
the contents of the goblet, he demonstrated that, 
though full, it would hold more. The school was 
delighted ; the rule was suspended, and the philoso- 
pher was admitted.” 

“Thank you,” said Kate. “I have enjoyed your 
tradition very much and, as my father would say 
in his legal way, I think it was pertinent at the time 
you used it. But, leaving the traditions of the past 
for the pleasures of the present, I saw you talking 
with Inez and I hope you like her.” 

“She was kindly pleasant and impressed me so 
favorably that I would like very much to have her 
for a friend.” 

“She is passionately fond of her brother, and 


THE WAY TO WIN 119 

believes the world revolves within the compass of 
his head. Much depends on him, as I suppose you 
use the word In the Byronic sense?” 

“The remark to which you refer was unfortu- 
nate. When I make the admission I trust you will 
forgive me, unless you want to quarrel with me.” 

“I must forgive, for I have no desire to see 
again the steely glint that gathered in your eye 
when on the verge of a quarrel with Mr. Dalzell. 
But I am glad you are pleased with Inez, because I 
am very fond of her. Upon further acquaintance, 
I know that you will appreciate her as an amiable, 
big-hearted, brainy girl, and you will find her bril- 
liant when the occasion warrants. She led her col- 
lege class without a seeming effort, and brought 
home with her the love of all her class-mates.” 

“She told me that she was at Vassar. Also, that 
you are a graduate of that college.” 

“I didn’t suspect that you and Inez had reached 
the gossiping stage. What further Information 
did she give you?” 

“She told me that you and my friend, Grace 
Russell of New York City, were class-mates and 
room-mates. Why did you not tell me?” 

“Why did you not tell me that you and Grace are 
friends?” 

“For the simple reason that I was not aware 
that you had met her.” 

“Does it not occur to you that the same simple 
reason might furnish a full answer to your ques- 
tion?” 

“Having beenyour room-mate for several years, 


20 


THE WAY TO WIN 

I take it for granted that you are still friends and 
that you correspond with each other?” 

“Yes, we are confidential friends and our confi- 
dences go with our letters. But what of that?” 

“As she and I are friends, I thought perhaps in 
some of her letters she might have mentioned me — 
knowing, as she does, that I am in Denver.” 

“Dr. Hamilton forgets himself in his anxiety to 
learn what impression he has made upon a certain 
young lady, and he commits an indiscretion when 
he asks the betrayal of the secrets that her letters 
may contain. I respectfully recommend you to 
headquarters.” 

Kate was determined to put a stop to his ques- 
tions, and she spoke in a cool, measured tone, and 
in a manner indicative of injured feelings. Ham- 
ilton was astounded, but he managed to ejaculate: 

“You wring my words and torture me beyond 
expression ! Nothing was further from my thoughts 
than the construction you place upon my language.” 

“Dr. Hamilton, if I have wronged you I am 
very sorry. Your manner convinces me that I have 
done you a great wrong. I ought to have known, 
and I did know, that you are incapable of the 
charge that I insinuated, and I beg pardon.” 

“Forgive you! Yes, with all my heart! And 
now that I come to think of it, I must admit that I 
pushed my questions dangerously near the line of 
impertinence and deserved the rebuke you admin- 
istered. The hope that a kind word spoken in my 
behalf might strengthen me in your estimation can 
form my only excuse.” 


I2I 


THE WAY TO WIN 

There was a flash of intelligence in Kate’s eye 
as she replied: 

“Your effort is kind, but a gallant remark can- 
not make me forget my rankling words, and, as 
you say, now that 1 think of it, I know you did not 
deserve the rebuke I gave you, and that I was not 
only rude, but I was unladylike.” 

“True, you misconstrued my meaning, but I 
cannot say that my words were not susceptible of 
the construction you placed upon them; and, there- 
fore, you have committed no offense calling for 
forgiveness. But,” continued Hamilton, smiling, 
“the affair has been amicably adjusted, the duello 
has been avoided, honor has been preserved with- 
out the shedding of blood, and we are again 
friends. Now, tell me about Miss Grace.” 

“Well, she is a whole-souled girl and, judging 
from her letters, she is whole-hearted, which, per- 
haps, is of more interest to you. You seem to 
have forgotten that she left New York more than 
a year ago for a European trip, which, if I am not 
mistaken, was before you left the city, or about the 
same time. So you see that she was not likely to 
know that you had made your home in Denver 
during her absence. I have no doubt she knows 
by this time, as a letter from her a few days ago in- 
forms me of her return.” 

“You are right. I had forgotten that she went 
away on her trip about the time I left New York, 
and now I see how stupid I have been. She was 
certainly whole-hearted when I parted with her, 
and she is not the girl to sell herself or to be wooed 


122 


THE WAY TO WIN 

and won by a title. I have no doubt that she re- 
turned heart-whole, and I think that man fortunate 
who may be able to ensconce himself within her af- 
fections.” 

“I am glad that you appreciate her. Grace is 
worthy of all you say and more. But, look. As 
usual Ada and Uncle Gus are having an amicable 
battle. She seems to be attacking him with all her 
Southern chivalry, while he is shaking with laugh- 
ter and beckoning us to come and enjoy the fun. 
Suppose we join them, and we’ll talk of Grace an- 
other time. What say you?” 

Joining the group around the combatants, Ham- 
ilton asked : “What’s the fun ? Let us join in it — 
the more the merrier — you know.” 

“I was just telling Dr. Blake that he is nothing 
but an old fossil and belongs to the granite period,” 
answered Ada. “Whenever a man gets to that 
time of life that he can go on and on repeating 
stale anecdotes and hoary jokes, he cannot be en- 
tertaining to anybody but an archaeologist. He is 
a spectre of the past, a mere reminiscence.” 

“What have you been doing. Uncle Gus, to 
bring on an eruption so violent?” 

“You mean an explosion, Kate! You mean an 
explosion! What have I been doing? Nothing 
at all. I merely poked Ada with the point of an 
anecdote after the fashion of the little boy that 
stirs up the lion in his cage with a long stick, and — 
gee — whiz! — how she made the windows rattle 
with her roaring! Sue and Ada, you know, are 
always happy in their topics for festal occasions. 


THE WAY TO WIN 123 

Their sense of propriety has so surprised me that 
1 am satisfied they meet in consultation before time 
and map out the conversational campaign. Ada 
and Sue tell me that a set of sinless sinners, a lot 
of wing-sprouting, faith-curing, perfectionist and 
sanctimonious sanctificationists have come to town 
to propagate their doctrines, and to inform the 
world in general, and professing Christians in par- 
ticular, that all humanity, themselves excepted, is 
on the highway to a certain hot country said to be 
paved with good intentions. They claim to be 
filled with the spirit — remaining on earth is a great 
trial to them; they want to die and leave this sin- 
cursed world. Well, Ada pretends to agree with 
them, and pretends, further, that there are people 
who are really so good that they wish to die. At 
this point I asked her if she had heard what Pat 
Maloney, when dying, said to Father Hughes. She 
said she had not, and I told her it was suggestive 
and might be worth considering. Father Hughes 
is fond of a joke and we are good friends, so when 
we meet we frequently fill in the time by swapping 
our latest. Pat’s physicians had told him that he 
could not live. Pat, being a good Catholic, sent 
for Father Hughes, that he might confess and re- 
ceive the last rites of his church. He found Pat 
much excited at the thought of dying, and tried to 
console him without success. Pat would not be 
comforted, and continued to bemoan and bewail 
his fate. Finally, the priest said, ‘Pat, as a good 
Catholic, you ought not to be afraid to meet your 
God.’ 


124 the way to win 

“ ‘Faith, your Riverence, it’s not that, it’s not 
that; it’s the tother fellow that Oim ’fraid ov meet- 

“This is the little anecdote that I told in all inno- 
cence, but Ada seems to think that I was covertly 
suggesting her spiritual condition, and immediately 
went off into spasms of jimjams.” 

“Doctor,” remarked Sue Maxwell, “I suspect 
you of drawing a long bow. Who is Father 
Hughes? I never heard of him here or else- 
where.” 

“Father tiughes ! Why, he is a Catholic priest, 
of course. That you have never met him or heard 
of him only goes to prove that your acquaintance 
is limited and that you are not well informed as to 
our spiritual teachers. I am surprised at your want 
of information in religious matters.” 

“Doctor,” added Ada, “I believe Sue is right, 
and my opinion is that you cannot find anybody 
that ever heard of Father Hughes. But tell us of 
Pat Maloney? Who is Pat Maloney, and what 
of him?” 

“Never heard of Pat Maloney? You surprise 
me ! It is a very common Irish name. As to the 
‘what’ part of your question, — there’s the rub, — it 
was troubling Pat very much the last I heard of 
him.” 

“It is an old thing anyhow’,” asserted Ada, “and 
I believe I have read it somewhere, and you needn’t 
be laughing and trying to palm off on us your spuri- 
ous coin. Like most of your would-be funny things, 
I supose you found it in Puck, or Judge, or Truth:* 


THE WAY TO WIN 125 

“It is the truth that hurts, Ada, as your present 
feelings testify. By the way, were you giving us 
a list of your favorite periodicals?” 

“Oh,” put in Kate, “let the hoary-headed old 
thing go, for after all is said for it that can be said, 
it is not so much of a joke that we need discuss or 
dispute about it.” 

“Kate, my child, the companion of my younger 
days, in whom I trusted and with whom I have 
tasted salt, who would or could have thought it of 
you ! Et tu, Brute! Here, take my stylus and 
hand me my toga, that I may sink down to death 
at Ada’s feet !” 

While they were all laughing at the put-on-woe- 
begone expression on the doctor’s face, Dalzell re- 
marked : 

“Doctor, you speak of these faith-curing, sanc- 
tified people as if you knew something about them. 
From the way you speak of them, I take it for 
granted that you have met with them.” 

“I have met the creatures. We have an influx 
of this kind, in one form or another, about every 
score of years. Like most other eruptions, it comes 
unexpectedly and soon fades away.” 

“I thought it was something new. Tell us what 
you think of it.” 

“No, it is an old, intermittent disease that has 
afflicted a certain class of people for many years, 
and the amusing part of the trouble is, that every 
time the eruption breaks out afresh the afflicted 
rave and rant and claim to be filled with the spirit 
and a new revelation from heaven. I made up my 


126 THE WAY TO WIN 

mind long ago about that crowd of theological 
tramps, and I have ceased to notice them or to 
think about them. It is a waste of time.” 

“But, Doctor, these people seem devoted to their 
teachings, and some of them must be honest. From 
what I hear, they do accomplish some good. If 
they do, they certainly do not merit wholesale de- 
nunciation.” 

“Well, it is to be hoped that they do accomplish 
some good, for I feel certain that they do a great 
deal of harm. Some of them may be honest in 
their belief, but that is no proof that they are not 
doing harm. Who questions the honesty of Paul 
when he stood by and held the garments of those 
who stoned Stephen? Or who questions his con- 
victions when he set out for Damascus? Yet it 
was on the journey to that city that he found he was 
guilty of a great wrong. Honesty of purpose is no 
excuse for wrong-doing. The objection that I 
have to these sanctified nomads is, they are with- 
out any form of church government. They are 
wholly irresponsible and are not even a church 
unto themselves. They wander here and there, 
pitch their tents in anybody’s pasture grounds and 
claim the right to feed at will. Again, they are 
church disorganizers. Wherever they go, if the 
pastors of the several churches fail to join In the 
pow-wow and bray with them, they are ridiculed, 
sneered at, and often denounced as strangers to 
grace and ignorant of the plan of salvation. In 
this manner, as far as these nomads have influence, 
these worthy pastors are brought into disrepute 


THE WAY TO WIN 127 

and their influence over their congregations 
weakened.” 

‘‘But, Uncle Gus, you have left off a part of your 
sermon.” 

‘‘To what part do you refer, Kate?” 

“To the faith-curing part. What of that?” 

“I believe in faith and prayer as much as any 
man,” said Dr. Blake, “if I don’t run all the prayer- 
meetings in this city. I also believe in common 
sense, and if you will analyze what we call religion 
you will find the root of its every vital principle im- 
bedded in common sense. These people ask us to 
disregard the dictates of reason and to turn our 
backs upon the garnered experiences of the ages. I 
feel assured that a good case of cramp colic can 
easily finish up the bravest of these all-faith fel- 
lows. I have some respect for the theory of the 
Christian Scientist, because it has a modicum of 
sense in it. Some of our troubles are purely im- 
aginary, while others are of the nervous order; 
and, the brain being the seat of the nervous system, 
if you can get a man to honestly believe — there’s 
the rub — that he is not afflicted, the first is dispelled 
and the other is relieved. Like that of perpetual 
motion, the theory is good if you can only get it to 
work. The regulars sometimes act upon this the- 
ory when we administer the bread pill, or some 
simple remedy, and glowingly describe the happy 
effect. Of course it is the most arrant nonsense 
when you come to pneumonia, kidney trouble, 
fever, appendicitis, meningitis, snake bites, and 
other afflictions and inflictions.” 


128 THE WAY TO WIN 

Pretending not to have noticed up to this time, 
he exclaimed, “Bless my life, Ada, what has be- 
come of my audience?” 

“Inez and Albert, as she calls him, feeling it to 
be their duty to resist the influence of your melodi- 
ous voice, went away and are now busy in their ef- 
forts to entertain and make the evening a success. 
Mr. Carson is much fonder of talking to Kate 
than he is of listening to you, and I saw them wan- 
dering oft in the direction of the conservatory. Dr. 
Hamilton followed suit with Sue, and they have 
gone — I don’t know where.” 

Bowing to her, he said: “And here I have been 
for I don’t know how long, wasting my time and 
lore on the wall flower and the last rose of sum- 
mer. I must be as eloquent as Burke, who could 
always empty the house when he rose to speak, 
and, like Burke, I must leave my vindication and 
my fame to the reading public and to posterity. 
But, Ada, when in Rome we must do as Rome 
does; so take my arm and we will wander off to 
some hidden niche of Cupid’s planning. I am a 
little out of practice, but I will do my best; and if 
you will only give me a few smiles of encourage- 
ment and help me to a word now and then, we 
will—” 

“Come on, Doctor, come on, and don’t keep me 
standing here listening to what you are going to do, 
but come on and do it. Let us hasten to that much- 
desired niche and enjoy the beatific moment. Bless 
your heart, I had rather marry you than — ” 

“Je-ru-sa-lem, Ada, name ever dear to me I 


THE WAY TO WIN 129 

Hold till I can get my breath ! I don’t want you 
to do all the courting, and if you persist I must in- 
sist upon my right to name the happy day.” Laugh- 
ing, they disappeared in the direction of the re- 
freshment room. 


CHAPTER XII 


For several days Hamilton was busy with his 
professional duties, but, a leisure evening coming, 
he concluded that he would spend it at the Somers 
residence. When he called he asked if Kate was 
at home, and was ushered into the parlor where 
he met her. There was something in the air that 
caused him to remark in a tone of inquiry: 

“I fear my call is not opportune — you are ex- 
pecting some person and I had no appointment?” 

‘‘I am glad to see you, however, and I am sorry 
to say that I have an appointment for the evening 
with Mr. Carson.” 

Hamilton, rising, said: “It may be, then, that 
you have some preparations to make, and I will 
not detain you.” 

“You are mistaken. When I am advised of the 
coming, as I am in this instance, I always make my 
preparations before time, rather than let my caller 
bore himself with waiting. If you have to take the 
medicine, the sooner you take it the better. So be 
seated and we will chit-chat until Mr. Carson 
comes.” 

“How is it that you speak of your friend’s call 
and medicine in the same breath?” 

“Oh, I only said that by way of illustration. But, 
130 


THE WAY TO WIN 13 1 

then, you know that some medicines have a very 
happy effect and are very pleasant to the taste. I 
haven’t seen you tor several days, so tell me what 
you have been doing with yourself.” 

‘‘Nothing that would interest the unprofessional 
— merely visiting the sick, feeling the pulse, exam- 
ining the stuck-out tongue, looking wise, and writ- 
ing prescriptions.” 

‘‘Well, I am sorry for you, and I will try and 
change the current of your thoughts. I wrote 
Grace to-day, told her that I had met you and 
asked her to pay me a visit. Now w’hat have you 
to say?” 

‘‘1 hope she will come, and if she does I shall 
turn over my work to Dr. Blake, take a vacation 
and help you entertain her. We will have theater- 
going, opera-going, parties, entertainments, pic- 
nics, pastimes, and show her some scenery that sur- 
passes anything she saw in Europe.” 

‘‘Oh, I never doubted that you would help me 
entertain her,” said Kate in a teasing tone, ‘‘and 
it is delightful to see how even the hope of her 
coming enthuses you. But I notice that you haven’t 
intimated that you would like to know what I said 
about you in the letter of invitation.” 

“Please don’t try to prod me with my mistakes, 
for they are many; the effort will keep you very 
busy for a long, long time, and I will lose the chit- 
chat that you suggested. But suppose I had inti- 
mated?” 

“It will be time enough to answer when the 
intimation comes.” 


132 THE WAY TO WIN 

“You ought not to tempt me, for the temptation 
is very strong when perhaps it reaches into the 
opinion of one whom I admire and esteem.” 

There was a quick glance in Kate’s eye as she 
laughingly said : “While you claim, in a large meas- 
ure, to have withdrawn from society, I see. Doc- 
tor, that you have not forgotten its gallantries.” 

Hamilton was beginning to protest, when Mr. 
Carson was announced. Entering, Carson was 
visibly surprised to find Hamilton, to whom he 
made a distant and over-polished bow. There 
was some general conversation for a few minutes, 
when Hamilton, knowing it was quite unnecessary 
to make excuse, rose and bid them good-night. As 
he was leaving. Dr. Blake, sitting on the veranda 
with Judge Somers, called to him and asked him to 
join them. As he approached. Dr. Blake said: 

“Here, Hamilton, sit down and have a cigar 
with us. These cigars are good, which goes to 
prove that they are smuggled goods. I don’t know 
where or how Dick gets hold of them, whether by 
way of a bribe or by way of complicity. It was the 
knowing Talleyrand, I believe, who said every man 
has his price, and if you want to find the way to 
Dick’s heart give him a good cigar. Put on your 
thinking-cap, if you are capable of doing it, as I 
want your professional opinion on a matter that 
Dick and I have been talking about. But why 
were you leaving so soon?” 

“For the reason that, under certain circum- 
stances, two make company and three make a rout, 
as Judge Somers can inform you. But you didn’t 


THE WAY TO WIN 133 

stop me for this information — so state your case 
and I will see If I can diagnose it.” 

‘‘Have you heard thac Tom Briggs committed 
suicide?” 

“No. When did that happen ?” 

“This afternoon; but — judging from, a letter 
he left behind — it didn’t happen — It was a calmly 
premeditated act. He said he was tired of living 
— left good-bye to all his friends and told them 
where he wanted to be burled. He seemed to be 
perfectly sane, and Dick and I have been talking 
over the question as to whether or not a sane man 
ever commits suicide. What Is your opinion?” 

“In my opinion a desire to live is a part of hu- 
man nature wisely given, and I do not believe any 
sane man ever committed suicide. Human nature 
shrinks back from death, and it must have a twist 
from the normal state before there can be any de- 
sire for the grave. The man may, in a general way, 
talk right and act right, but there must be a screw 
loose somewhere in his mental machinery. Like a 
wheel with a cog awry, the running is perfect until 
you come to the loose cog, and then comes the 
shock and possibly the break down.” 

“Well, it seems I can’t get up a discussion with 
this ‘me too’ party, so we will change from death 
unto life. Have you seen in to-day’s paper what 
Judge Clay said about the Inter-State laws? He 
is only a District Judge, but his opinion struck me 
as not only sensible, but conclusive of the ques- 
tion.” 

They both answered In the negative, and the 


134 the way to win 

doctor continued: “You remember, Hamilton, 
what I said on the subject the first night you were 
here and deluged the place with water?” 

Hamilton laughed. “Yes, I remember that you 
held State laws in contempt; that prohibition or 
dispensary was a matter of indifference to you; 
that by means of the Inter-State law you could or- 
der in and get all the whiskey you wanted — much 
or little.” 

“Well, Judge Clay agrees with me in a deliver- 
ance from the bench abounding in good sense and 
some law. He ought to be on the Supreme Bench. 
I wonder if he heard of the views I expressed that 
night? Dick, you and he are cheek by jowl — 
did you tell him?” 

“We are the people and wisdom will die with us, 
says Gus Blake. He is the only man in all my ac- 
quaintance that can fully appreciate and fondly ap- 
propriate the imperious assertion of Louis of 
France — ‘I am the State.’ Oh, no, we never men- 
tion you and — your views ; we don’t know that you 
really have any views.” 

Dr. Blake laughed heartily, and, looking at 
Hamilton, he asked: “Did you ever hear about 
Dick’s candidacy for the district judgeship some 
ten or twelve years ago? No? Well, I must tell 
you. All in all, I don’t know that I ever enjoyed 
the outcome of anything so much in all my life. I 
had to hide, however, and do my laughing to my- 
self. I didn’t care to let Dick see me, but I had 
more fun — ” 

“Pshaw I” interrupted Judge Somers. “Go on 


THE WAY TO WIN 135 

with your fabrication. I suppose you would have 
Dr. Hamilton believe that I do not properly value 
Judge Clay’s opinion because we are, or rather 
were, in opposition to each other — whereas, we 
have been all the time on the most pleasant foot- 
ing.” 

Dr. Blake was Intensely amused, and his mirth 
was so contagious that Hamilton, against his will, 
was forced to join in the laugh. 

“Dick, you have often impressed me with your 
thorough scholarship by the selection of words that 
convey not only the true meaning, but even the 
most delicate shades of meaning. Footing is the 
word of all words to express the true status. In 
the race for the district judgeship Clay outfooted 
you, and in the race for the supreme judgeship you 
outfooted him; and each, from his own point of 
view, stands upon a victory and has a pleasant foot- 
ing.” 

“But,” said the judge, “Clay didn’t beat me for 
the district judgeship. I withdrew from the race 
and he was elected without opposition.” 

“Well, Dick, I never was good at drawing nice 
distinctions, and I must say, to a man up a tree 
watching the race, it looked very much as if you 
were beaten. Two men, we will call them C and S, 
go on the course for a race — say of one hundred 
yards; at the ninetieth yard, C being in front, S 
stops and leaves the track. It looks to me as if C 
had won the race and that S had been beaten. 
You may be right in your distinctions, but — ” 

“Oh, well, Gus, have it your way, but do go on 


136 THE WAY TO WIN 

and finish with your building material. You are as 
garrulous as an old hysterical woman.” 

As soon as Dr. Blake could get his breath for 
laughing, he continued: 

“You see, Hamilton, it was this way. Clay was 
the elder man; he was the incumbent, but the term 
of office for which he had been elected was about 
to expire and he was a candidate for re-election. 
Dick was just reaching into the full strength of his 
manhood; his fortune in a large measure was still 
before him; his practice had just burst into full 
flower, and it never occurred to me for a moment 
that he would give up a twenty-five thousand dol- 
lar practice per year for the niggardly salary and 
the doubtful dignity of a district judge. My sur- 
prise, then, was without bounds when he told me 
he was thinking of contesting with Judge Clay for 
the district judgeship. I exerted myself to dis- 
suade him, but in vain. It is only the fool that 
continues to argue with a man who has made up 
his mind. Whistling jigs to a tombstone in a ceme- 
tery and expecting it to dance is wisdom in com- 
parison. He talked to me about the dignity of the 
position; about its being a stepping-stone; that it 
was in the line of promotion; that he had his eye 
on something away and beyond and higher. So I 
let him alone and listened in silence to his illusions 
and delusions. His friends, he told me, were clam- 
orous for him to enter the race ; they had planned 
the campaign to win; the field had been thoroughly 
examined, and all he had to do was to accept and 
be sworn into office. He was astounded at his pop- 


ularity and amazed to find his ability and legal 
learning were so well known. Of course Clay 
would be a candidate for re-election, but his 
friends assured him that Clay was a mere pigmy 
without ability and without legal lore — practically 
out of the race if he would only consent to take the 
place. He had maturely considered the matter in 
its every aspect and had hesitated to accept the 
proffered offer, but his friends had assured him 
again and again that he would be an ornament to 
the bench — that the State was in imperative need 
of his services, and did not see how he could refuse 
the call of his many friends. It was no doubt 
the appeal to his patriotism that decided Dick to 
accept the office. So with Horatian courage, and 
murmuring to himself dulce et decorum est pro 
patria mori, Dick went to the rescue of the State. 
Horace, you know, ran away from the battlefield — 
withdrew, I suppose, is now the proper word. 
Well, for a time everything was lovely. The hotel 
lobbies were filled with his friends; he met them 
everywhere upon the streets; he ran against them 
turning the corners; he was having a gala time and 
a walk-over. But suddenly he made a discovery — 
he had the friends, but the other fellow had the 
votes. He didn’t admit this at first, but it was 
easy to see that something had gone wrong with 
him. He began to talk about the wear and tear of 
the campaign — he was weary and tired and 
wanted to rest. The labor and expense and ex- 
posure w'ere much greater than he had anticipated 
— his health was being impaired and he had fears 


138 THE WAY TO WIN 

that he would not be able to hold out to the finish. 
If he were elected district judge he would be absent 
from home a great deal and his private affairs were 
claiming his attention every day. Then, there was 
Kate, his only child, he ought to be at home looking 
after her education and her associations. In fact, 
after seriously considering the matter, he had 
come to the conclusion that the office of district 
judge was not much of an office after all. He 
might be of benefit, but his home duties would not 
permit him to go around and about — to their 
neglect. These claims were paramount, and he 
could not be expected to abandon them for any 
supposed good he might do the State. The game 
was not worth the candle, and so he concluded to 
withdraw in favor of Judge Clay — his only com- 
petitor — and let the State suffer. However, three 
years ago, Dick rallied his patriotism and beat 
Judge Clay for the Supreme Bench. Hence, as I 
said, honors are easy between them, and now they 
are to be seen cooing and smiling and chattering 
with each other with all the earnestness and sin- 
cerity of a pair of fashionable beauties.” 

While Dr. Blake was talking. Judge Somers sat 
smiling, now and then Interjecting a remark which 
received no attention from the speaker. When 
the doctor finished his story of the judicial cam- 
paign, the judge asked: 

‘‘Dr. Hamilton, did you know that Gus once 
took painting lessons? It was during our first 
year at Harvard that he became convinced that he 
was a great artist In embryo and became enthused 


THE WAY TO WIN 139 

with a desire to develop his dormant talent. His 
love of nature pointed out landscape painting as 
his forte. Selecting an instructor, he devoted him- 
self to his beloved art for about six months, when 
his instructor called on him for an original sketch. 
Gus immediately went to work and quickly fur- 
nished the desired article. When the instructor 
saw it he gave Gus full credit for originality. It 
was intended to represent about a half-mile of 
valley, with a stream flowing through it. Cows 
were feeding — here and there was a tree — near 
by there was a rustic cabin and a man over- 
looking his herd. In the distance the stream was 
almost as narrow as it was at your feet — the cows 
v/ere large enough to browse on the tops of the 
trees, and the man could easily straddle the cabin. 
The instructor was furious and told Gus that he 
didn’t have the faintest idea of proportion, and 
that he knew no more about perspective than one 
of his cows. Gus told me about it in our room. He 
was highly indignant, and having heard what Dis- 
raeli did when he failed in his first effort and was 
jeered in the House of Commons, he struck him- 
self dramatically on the breast and with a tragic 
air exclaimed, ‘It is in here and it shall come out.’ 
But he quitted landscape painting and betook him- 
self to something for which he had a natural tal- 
ent — word painting. 

“By the way, in this connection an anecdote sug- 
gests itself which Judge Clay told me only a few 
days ago. It illustrates what I mean by word paint- 
ing as applied to Gus. Jim Giles, a man of doubt- 


140 THE WAY TO WIN 

ful reputation, had brought an action against John 
Morris sounding in damages. On the trial Jim 
testified for himself and had made out a strong 
case. The attorney for the defendant undertook 
to break down Jim’s reputation for veracity. 
Among other witnesses he called Bill Stone. Bill 
is a man with plenty of brains and much shrewd- 
ness, but without education. The attorney went 
through with the usual preliminaries and put the 
question, ‘Would you believe him on his oath?’ 
Bill talked in a circle and could not be brought to 
the point. The question had been put several times 
without the desired result, when Clay, turning to 
the witness, said, ‘Answer the question, sir, and an- 
swer yes or no.’ Bill deposited his quid, scraped 
the floor with his foot, looked sorrowfully at Jim 
and with some hesitation said: ‘See here, Jedge, 
it’s kinder this way. Jim and me was boys to- 
gether and we has been neighbors ever since. I 
like Jim*. Jim has his bad streaks in him and, Jedge, 
Jim has some mighty good streaks in him, and, 
Jedge, it’s mighty hard on me to go back on Jim. 
But I must say, Jedge — if I must tell what the 
neighbors say — Jim has a mighty lively imagina- 
tion, Jedge, mighty lively! Now, Gus, there you 
are.” 

‘^Multum in parvo” called out Hamilton; “what 
do you say to that. Doctor?” 

Blake was laughing as he answered : “The joke ? 
Well, I think it fairly good, considering it has 
been filtered through a pair of lawyers so dry that 
they are waterproof — only I don’t see the point. 
But that is the trouble with most of Dick’s jokes.” 


CHAPTER XIII 


Several weeks had passed when Hamilton, hav- 
ing finished his professional duties for the morning, 
called at Tragor's drug store to superintend the 
filling of a prescription. As he entered he passed 
Carson and several others engaged in conversa- 
tion. Speaking, he passed on and was busy for 
some time assisting the clerk in compounding and 
filling the prescription. When he was leaving he 
was stopped by Carson and asked to examine a 
steel engraving. It was a large and beautifully 
executed picture representing the surrender at Ap- 
pomattox, with Grant and Lee and the apple tree 
in the foreground. Carson remarked: 

“I hear that you are a connoisseur and we would 
like to have your judgment of this picture.” 

“Madame Rumor, Mr. Carson, makes many 
mistakes, as we all know, and I regret to admit that 
I am not cultured In such matters.” 

Looking carefully at the picture, he added: “I 
don’t think anyone could find fault with the execu- 
tion of this picture, for it is certainly very superior. 
It has, however, a very serious fault, a fault only 
too common in pictures of this kind. It creates a 
false impression, because it is not true to history — 
the surrender did not take place under the apple 
tree. The picture is a false education.” 


141 


142 THE WAY TO WIN 

“But, Doctor, you must have seen many pictures 
not only at home, but abroad, the sight of which 
would cultivate the taste.” 

“Yes, I have seen many, and some of them very 
famous pictures. I have seen those in the Louvre, 
in the Pitti palace and in other places, and thou- 
sands have seen them, but it can hardly be con- 
tended that the privilege of seeing and enjoying 
can confer the taste and judgment necessary to the 
connoisseur. I am not even an amateur, for I look 
and enjoy for the time and pass on without think- 
ing of the picture afterward — except as a pleasant 
remembrance. 

“I understand Dr. Hamilton,” said Percival, 
“and agree with him. I have seen pictures by the 
cartload — the old masters and the Renaissance, — 
whatever that is, — but when it comes to shades 
and shadows, the blending of colors, the natural 
tint, and the other thousand and one things so es- 
sential to the art critic, I simply know nothing 
about them.” 

“Well,” said Carson, “while I suspect Dr. Ham- 
ilton of placing an estimate upon himself alto- 
gether too modest, we will not argue the question, 
as it is not a matter of present importance. But, 
Doctor, you like the picture, and it may be that you 
would like to own it.” 

“I never saw the picture until a few minutes ago, 
and I am at a loss to understand why you think I 
would like to own it.” 

“First, because you say it is a beautiful picture. 


THE WAY TO WIN 143 

Second, because you have the opportunity of pos- 
sessing it at a small figure.” 

“Still I do not understand you, Mr. Carson.” 

“We are raffling the picture, and we thought, 
perhaps, that you would like to take a chance — it 
is only five dollars.” 

“In the first place, I have no place for the pic- 
ture if I had it. In the second place, I do not en- 
gage in games of chance.” 

With a bantering air Carson said: “Come, Doc- 
tor, that will do to tell to the marines, but we are 
not of those who have their homes on the ocean 
wave. You forget that you have a reputation that 
spreads to two continents. All the chances are 
taken except three. Shall we assign them to you?” 

“I have already answered your question — I do 
not engage in games of chance.” 

With a tone of sarcasm, Carson said : “Then you 
are not living up to the reputation you established 
in Paris and New York?” 

“I admit that I have a reputation for gaming in 
those cities. Perhaps I was considered a plunger. 
But for reasons satisfactory to myself, I am now 
living above that reputation, and — since Mr. Car- 
son has been following my footsteps — I trust he 
will continue to follow.” 

Carson sneeringly replied: “Ah! we are virtu- 
ous, are we? — and there shall be no more cakes 
and ale. Dr. Hamilton’s reformation is sudden, 
but it is not without method and purpose — in 
Denver.” 

Hamilton’s voice was low and clear, without a 


144 the way to win 

tremor, as he answered: “That my reformation, 
as you are pleased to term it, was somewhat sud- 
den, is true. If others see proper to indulge in 
cakes and ale, it is none of my business and I have 
no criticism to make. If I decline to indulge in 
cakes and ale, that is my business, and I intend to 
see that it is respected. The insinuation that I have 
an ulterior object in view is unworthy of the gen- 
tleman.” 

Carson bounded forward, but was caught and 
held by his friend. Dalzell, who had come in just 
in time to hear Carson’s last remark and Hamil- 
ton’s rejoinder, touched the latter on the shoulder 
and said: 

“You are wanted at your office.” 

“It is impossible for me to go. Who wants 
me?” 

“I want you, and go you must.” 

Carson had been struggling with his friends, but 
some ladies coming in, quiet was restored and the 
parties went out on the street. Hamilton, with 
Dalzell, went in the direction of his office. Carson 
started to follow, but his friend stopped him, Per- 
cival saying: 

“No, you must not go in that direction. You 
have already committed a blunder and put your- 
self at a disadvantage. Your conduct in this mat- 
ter is without excuse. If Hamilton does not care 
to engage in a raffle it is none of your business. 
When you dragged in his past you were rudely ag- 
gressive, and when you threw out innuendoes you 

7 % 


THE WAY TO WIN 145 

were grossly offensive. You had better let the 
whole matter drop.” 

“I don’t care. I know him to be a hypocrite, and 
1 am determined to unmask him and hold him up 
to public ridicule,” 

“Carson, you are mistaken in your man. What 
can you show more than he admits? That he has 
been a gamester, he does not deny. What more 
can you prove? You had better let him alone. He 
is no hypocrite — he means just what he says and 
he has the courage to maintain it. Take my ad- 
vice — go to your rooms and cool off.” 

When Hamilton and Dalzell reached the office, 
Dalzell said: 

‘I saw and heard the ending, and I want to know 
the beginning of your trouble with Carson. Tell 
me all about it.” 

When Hamilton had finished telling him, Dal- 
zell added: 

“I don’t see how you could have avoided the 
issue. I am sorry it occurred and I fear further 
trouble, because Carson prides himself on his fight- 
ing qualities.” 

“Well, I am no fighting man, Dalzell, and as a 
general thing my photo might serve for a flag of 
truce. But I can tell you what I am, my friend, I 
am the most accommodating man you ever saw, 
and I am always willing to accommodate an 
enemy.” 

Dalzell laughed. “I believe you, Hamilton; but 
if you didn’t want to fight, why did you question 
Carson’s gentility?” 


146 THE WAY TO WIN 

“Because I thought 1 was accommodating him. 
To be frank, T believe he sought the trouble, but 
why I cannot imagine. When you find a man 
leading off in that kind of business the best thing 
you can do is to precipitate it. Such a course is 
almost sure to disconcert him and give you the 
advantage. I believe he had heard of what he calls 
my reformation, and merely seized upon the raffle 
business to bring on the brawl in the presence of his 
friends with the view of bullying and humiliating 
me. If he is satisfied with the result of his experi- 
ment, I have no right to complain.” 

“You are right. I know Inez told him about 
the breeze that sprang up between you and me — 
and the cause of it. Knowing your views, he did 
not expect you to engage in the raffle, and the con- 
struction you have placed upon his conduct must be 
correct. As to Carson’s object, as you seem to be 
a little dense just there, I will suggest an explana- 
tion. Evidently he does not like you, and he thinks 
he sees in you an enemy to his plans for the future. 
He is madly in love with Kate Somers, or with her 
social position and long purse that is to be, and he 
has taken it into his head that Cupid has afflicted 
you with the same disease, and that you are dis- 
posed to do business at the same place and with the 
same person. Have I surprised and shocked you?” 

“Yes, Dalzell, you both surprise and shock me. 
Carson’s preference is no secret, but if I have ever 
manifested a preterence for Miss Somers, I am 
not conscious of it. I appreciate her socially and 


THE WAY TO WIN 147 

intellectually, but I am certain I have not crossed 
the line of friendship by word or look.” 

Dalzell laughed and quoted: 

“O, would some power the gift to gie us — ” 

Hamilton interrupted with : “What do you mean, 
Dalzell? Do you mean to intimate that I have 
been unconsciously displaying an undue fondness 
for Miss Somers?” 

“Not at all, my friend, not at all. You are a 
gentleman, and a gentleman has too much regard 
for the woman of his choice to annoy her with a 
public display of his preference. But the consensus 
of opinion is, my rriend, that you have a very high 
appreciation of Kate Somers’s good qualities. But 
it is not your preference that disturbs Carson, but 
the fear that Kate may value it if allowed to mani- 
fest itself.” 

“As far as I can see she gives herself to the en- 
tertainment of Carson more than to any one else.” 

“Carson maneuvers to that end in the hope, no 
doubt, of committing her in the opinion of the pub- 
lic, and thus strengthen himself in her estimation. 
But he ■will not succeed, for I feel sure that she has 
recently had the opportunity of calling herself Mrs. 
Carson, and I feel equally certain that she declined 
that honor. Carson, however, like most men in 
love, is so stricken with idiocy that he cannot con- 
ceive of any objection to himself, and imagines that 
he would win but for outside influence — but for 
somebody standing in his way. But we have talked 


148 THE WAY TO WIN 

enough about Carson. What say you to a game 
of billiards. You beat me the last time we played 
and I am thirsting for my revenge.” 

‘‘Meet me in one hour at Van Tromp’s rooms 
and I will give you an opportunity to slake your 
thirst.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


Kate was a graceful rider and very fond of ex- 
ercise in the saddle. She had a thoroughbred with 
a strain of the Arabian, jet black, spirited but gen- 
tle. The animal was a great pet with Kate, and it 
would follow her about and come at her beck and 
call, knowing ^at the reward would be a lump of 
sugar. Kate and Hamilton had made several ex- 
cursions beyond the limits of the city in quest of 
health and pleasure. I'he morning after the Car- 
son affair, Hamilton felt dispirited and had gone 
about his duties in a perfunctory way. In the after- 
noon he decided that a rough and rapid ride was 
necessary. He phoned for his horse. Mounting 
him, he found Hero full of life, ready for the heat 
and pressing on the bit. When he reached the 
suburbs he loosened the reins and Hero went off 
into half-racing speed. This pace had been kept 
up for some time, when Hamilton saw in the dis- 
tance a lady and gentleman on horseback approach- 
ing at a canter. He knew Kate by her poise and 
easy carriage, responsive to the movements of her 
mount, and he was soon able to see that Carson was 
the man riding at her side. As they neared each 
other, Hamilton brought Hero down to a walk. 
Kate and Carson did not slacken their speed, and, 


149 


150 THE WAY TO WIN 

when in the act of passing Hamilton, Carson, look- 
ing him full in the face with an air of proprietor- 
ship, leaned over toward Kate as if he wished to 
whisper something in her ear. Just at this mo- 
ment a thoughtless boy, not observing the riders 
or not caring, discharged a gun from some under- 
growth near the roadside. Hero, having been 
trained in the hunting field and accustomed to fire- 
arms, was not gun-shy and he made but little dem- 
onstration. Not so with the other horses. The 
sudden whirl of Carson’s horse sent him headlong 
to the ground, where he lay motionless. Kate was 
in the act of rising with her mount, and the unex- 
pected whirl of her horse lifted her from her sad- 
dle and shot her through the air in the direction of 
Hamilton. With lightning speed he threw out 
his arm, caught her, and drew her to him. With 
this performance Hero became greatly excited. 
He began to prance and pitch, and swerved from 
the road into the undergrowth. For a few seconds 
the struggle was desperate and taxed Hamilton’s 
utmost strength. His hold upon Kate was some- 
what precarious, and he found it almost impossible 
to protect her as she was dragged among the 
bushes, and at the same time guide Hero and check 
him in his bad behavior. As soon as he could he 
dismounted and placed Kate on her feet. By this 
time, however, she was almost limp, and she reeled 
and was unable to stand. He caught her up in his 
arms and carried her a few paces to a rock, where 
she could sit and rest in a reclining position. As he 
seated her, he said: 


THE WAY TO WIN 15 1 

“Miss Somers, you must pardon me, but it was 
no time for ceremony. I felt compelled to act. 
Lean against the rock until you are quite recov- 
ered.” 

He took off his hat and fanned her for several 
minutes, and then asked: 

“Are you hurt? Do you feel any pain?” 

Without opening her eyes, she answered: 

“No; but I was so frightened! When the horse 
left the road I expected to be killed.” 

She had been very pale, but the blood was re- 
turning to her cheeks as she opened her eyes and 
with a catch in her voice said: 

“Dr. Hamilton I am at a loss for words to ex- 
press my thanks. You must come and see us at 
home and learn how happy you have made my 
father. But, Doctor, what of Mr. Carson? I 
think he was thrown from his horse.” 

“Yes, he was riding very carelessly at the mo- 
ment, and I fear he has met with a bad fall. I 
hardly know what to do. He may need assistance, 
but I am not willing to leave you here alone.” 

“I am all right. Doctor. T am quite able to 
walk that distance, and I will go back with you.” 

Returning, they found Carson still lying in the 
road and in an unconscious condition. His face 
was colorless. Kate exclaimed in a startled and 
awed tone : “Doctor, he is dead.” 

Hamilton continued his rapid examination, ap- 
parently not noticing her startled exclamation. 
When satisfied he looked up and said: 

“Miss Somers, he is not dead. He struck partly 


152 THE WAY TO WIN 

on his shoulder, as his torn coat shows, and thus 
his head was saved from the full force of the fall. 
1 hope it is only a bad case of shock. 

Just at this time Percival drove up in a phaeton. 
He sprang out and came to Hamilton’s assistance, 
at the same time asking how it all happened. In 
the midst of his work Hamilton explained and re- 
marked, “I need a heart tonic. Mr. Percival, the 
circumstance must excuse the question, have you 
any brandy with you?” 

“No, but I know the driver has something of the 
kind. Here, John, give Dr. Hamilton that flask 
that' you have been trying to conceal in your pocket, 
and be in a hurry about it.” 

By this time Carson was showing signs of re- 
turning consciousness. He opened his eyes and 
looked around in a dazed, dreamy way, and closed 
them again. Plamilton took the flask and succeed- 
ed in getting him to swallow a few drops of the 
brandy. Waiting a little while, he got him to take 
more, and in a few minutes he opened his eyes 
again and then rose to a sitting posture. He was 
evidently still under the influence of the shock, and 
his looks showed that he was trying to recall the 
accident. Hamilton, after watching him a minute, 
said: 

“Mr. Carson, you must take a little more of this 
brandy, and I think you will soon be yourself again 
— you will be all right in a few minutes.” He did 
so, and the blood came back to his face and intelli- 
gence to his eyes. 

“I have just been trying to think how it all hap- 


THE WAY TO WIN 153 

pened. Didn’t somebody fire a gun — and — I can’t 
remember anything more. What became of Miss 
Kate ? Did she get hurt ?” 

“I am here, Mr. Carson. I was badly fright- 
ened, but escaped without injury.” 

Carson rested for a time, and then, with Perci- 
val’s assistance, he struggled to his feet. 

‘‘Mr. Carson,” said Hamilton, ‘‘you and Miss 
Somers must get in the phaeton with Mr. Percival, 
who will see you to your homes.” 

With Percival’s help, Carson got into the phae- 
ton without saying a word. Kate lingered behind 
and said to Hamilton: 

‘‘We will expect you this evening. I know my 
father will not rest until he sees you.” She then 
stepped into the conveyance and it drove off. 

Hamilton mounted Hero and made his way 
slowly back to his office in a meditative mood. 
From what he had seen and heard, he inclined 
strongly to the opinion that Kate was attached, if 
not actually engaged, to Carson. He began to fear 
that Dalzell did not know what he was talking 
about when he asserted that she would never marry 
him. Meditating on these things, he remained in 
his office until it was time to start to the Somers 
residence. 

Dr. Blake had been detained at the hospital, and 
Judge Somers was engaged in his library, when 
Hamilton arrived to find Kate sitting alone on the 
piazza. She came quickly forward and gave him 
a cordial greeting and a seat beside her, saying: 

“Father is in the library listening to the reading 


154 the way to win 

of some dry-as-diist papers by one of those trouble- 
some lawyers that know how to put in an appear- 
ance at the wrong time. I will not tell father that 
you are here, for it would give him the fidgets, but 
if that lawyer fails to get to the much-desired clause 
‘And the Petitioner will ever pray, etc.,’ in a rea- 
sonable time, he will be sent about his business, for 
father is expecting you and he will not permit him- 
self to be long delayed. Until he comes you will 
have to put up with such entertainment as I can 
give you.” 

‘‘Circumstances, Miss Somers, sometimes make 
m.artyrs of us all, and I feel that mine is akin to 
that of Stephen.” 

‘‘Why, Stephen was stoned to death. I hope I 
am not so bad as that.” 

The coming of the visiting lawyer, followed by 
Judge Somers, put an end to this biblical chat. The 
judge went direct to Hamilton, seized him with 
both his hands, and with a heart-quiver in his voice 
thanked him for what he called his heroic conduct 
in saving Kate’s life. 

In the midst of the giving of thanks. Dr. Blake 
came in and asked what it was all about. He was 
obviously much moved as Kate related the adven- 
ture and told how she was rescued by Hamilton. 

‘‘Well, like my friend Byron,” said Dr. Blake, 
‘‘you went to sleep last night only an ordinary mor- 
tal and to-day you are famous. You are a lucky 
fellow, but you know the kind of people the old 
adage says have the luck. Come here, Kate, come 


THE WAY TO WIN 155 

here. I want to feel your pulse and see if you are 
in a normal condition.” 

Going to him, he pulled her down on his lap, 
and twining his arms about her, with a huskiness in 
his voice that was not natural he said: 

“You are a dear girl, if you are a storm-center 
of trouble, and I cannot get along without you, for 
I must have somebody with whom I can quarrel. 
Now go to your seat and behave yourself for the 
rest of the evening like a good little girl.” 

“And if I do not behave myself, what then, 
Uncle Gus?” 

“Well, I suppose I will have to kiss you again 
and make friends. Now, don’t go and misbehave 
just in order to get another kiss.” 

The conversation had been flowing pleasantly 
for some time, when Hamilton’s office boy made 
his appearance with a telegram. Opening it, he 
read : 

“Uncle George died yesterday intestate. You 
are the next of kin and only heir. You must come 
immediately. Sid Livingstone.” 

Turning to Dr. Blake, he asked when the next 
train left for Chicago. 

“The next train for Chicago leaves the depot 
at eleven o’clock But what’s the matter, that you 
are rushing off to that city?” 

“And it is now ten o’clock,” said Hamilton. “I 
have one hour in which to catch that train, and I 
must make it. I am going to New York. This 
telegram tells me that my Uncle George is dead. 


156 THE WAY TO WIN 

my father’s brother, and that my immediate pres- 
ence is necessary,” 

Kate followed him to the stoop and, holding out 
her hand to bid him good night, said : 

“You are going to your old home and I want to 
make you my messenger. When you meet Grace, 
as I know you will, tell her I am expecting her at 
an early day, and the sooner she comes the warmer 
the welcome.” 

“I will be your faithful messenger. Miss Som- 
ers, and I assure you the message will lighten the 
journey.” 

“But why so formal ? I thought I gave you per- 
mission, once upon a time, to call me Kate.” 

“I thought you did not know or that you had 
forgotten — ” 

“I suspect. Dr. Hamilton, that is not your only 
mistake,” interrupted Kate. 

Hamilton was beginning to flounder badly and 
was trying to ask what she meant, when she with- 
drew her hand, saying: “Doctor, if you are going 
to Chicago to-night, you have no time to lose — you 
will miss your train, and I bid you au revoir” 


CHAPTER XV 


When Hamilton reached New York it was 
night, and he went to his hotel and to bed. Next 
morning he called at Livingstone’s rooms, and 
found him standing before the glass arranging his 
tie.” 

“Well, Sid, languidly lazy as in the days of yore, 
eh?” 


“Hello, Jack, old fellow, when and how did you 
get here ? You are twenty-four hours sooner than 
I expected you, but I am only the more delighted. 
Sit down, sit down. I will have breakfast here in 
a few minutes, and while we are waiting you can 
tell me something about yourself andyour doings.” 

“I got here last night per train, of course — I 
was on my way in an hour after I received your tele- 
gram. I have been up for some time brushing the 
dew from the lawn in true Western farmer-like 
style; and as for breakfast, I had that more than 
an hour ago — about the time you turned over for 
your morning nap. As to news, you forget that I 
have been absent for a year and more. Here I 
am all the way from Denver hungry to hear what 
you and the boys have been doing all this time, so 
you may as well begin to unfold your budget.” 

“Jack, you made a big hole in our club when 


158 THE WAY TO WIN 

you threw down your colors and fled. It was an 
awful surprise to the boys, and they are wonder- 
ing how you could have done it. We have stuck 
together, however, and in a general way we have 
run things in the old grooves and have kept the 
shuttle flying. Boys will be boys, as Palmerston 
at seventy said, when his wife caught him kissing 
the maid.” 

In this way the conversation flowed on, Hamil- 
ton asking questions and Livingstone answering 
and detailing the actings and doings of former 
friends for the past year, until Livingstone had 
finished the breakfast he ordered, when Hamilton 
said : 

“Sid, I am here in response to your telegram, 
and it means business. Tell me what you know 
about my Uncle George and his affairs. I know 
absolutely nothing, and I am much surprised that 
he died intestate, knowing that his property, if he 
left any, would descend to me.” 

“I will surprise you still more when I tell you 
that the old flint died leaving an estate of several 
hundred thousand dollars, and that he died intes- 
tate after duly considering the matter. A very 
pretty property to begin the next world with if he 
could have taken it with him. However, as he 
managed to get along here without the use of it 
for eighty years and more, I take it for granted 
that the old mole will know how to make his way 
in the future.” 

Hamilton looked at his friend for a few min- 
utes, utterly bewildered. 


THE WAY TO WIN 159 

“Sid, are you not mistaken. How do you know 
all this?” 

“I am not mistaken, and I can soon satisfy you 
on this point. If you remember, I met the old 
miser here two or three times when these rooms 
belonged to you. From the fact of meeting me 
here he took it fo’* granted that I was your friend. 
Be that as it may, two days before he died he sent 
for me — the messenger giving me the street and 
number. My friendship for you caused me to go 
to him — thinking the old curmudgeon might be in 
some trouble, possibly in pecuniary want, for I re- 
membered that he claimed to be very poor, and I 
had reason to believe that he had occasionally 
borrowed money from you. I found him in a sec- 
ond-rate boarding-house and in a room that had 
been furnished with an eye to economy rather than 
comfort. I found him sick and in bed, and when 
I politely remarked that I was sorry to find him 
unwell, he curtly informed me that he had not sent 
for me in quest of sympathy — said he had been 
sick for several days and did not expect to get well. 
When I suggested a doctor might be of some serv- 
ice to him, he cut the matter short by telling me he 
had no respect for pill-makers and blood-letters; 
that they are a set of impostors, frauds and cor- 
morants — no better than birds of prey that live by 
their bills; and, furthermore, he had not sent for 
me in search of advice. His language was a little 
irritating to a man of my profession, for while 
most of us do live by our bills, we do not care to 
be compared to birds of prey, and while we may be 


i6o THE WAY TO WIN 

mixed up with a little fraud and bread pills, all for 
the good of the patient, we do not care to be told 
about it. However, I restrained myself, and 
merely said to him that his messenger had in- 
formed me that he wanted to see me, and now 
that I had come I would be pleased to know what 
I could do for him. What do you suppose was the 
old money-blister’s answer? ‘Nothing; I don’t 
want you to do anything for me.’ I confess. Jack, 
I felt like kicking the old cuss, if he was your uncle. 
I looked at him for a few moments, and was about 
to leave the room, when he said: ‘If you are 
through asking questions and giving advice, sit 
down and let me ask you a few questions. You 
are a friend to Jack Hamilton, I think? I nodded 
my head. ‘He is living in Denver, I believe?’ I 
again nodded my head. ‘Before he went to Den- 
v^er he had squandered the fortune his father left 
him — had about struck bottom, hadn’t he?’ I was 
silent and immovable. He looked at me for fully 
a minute, and then, with a kind of chuckling laugh, 
said, “You can’t deny it, eh? Well I know it, 
whether you admit it or not. What is Jack doing 
in Denver?’ I told him you were engaged in the 
practice of your profession. ‘I reckon he is still 
gambling, drinking, and spending all the money 
he can get his hands on, eh ?’ I told him I thought 
you were an all-round reformed man. ‘Got any 
proof?’ I told him what had passed between you 
and me and what I had heard you say. ‘The poor- 
est proof you could possibly give.’ After this 
complimentary remark, he lay still for a few min- 


THE WAY TO WIN i6i 

utes and then said, ‘I thought you had better sense 
than to take a convict’s word about his Innocence, 
or a drunkard’s about his repentance while the 
headache is on, or a spendthrift’s about his refor- 
mation when he is out of money.’ I was disgusted 
and Indignant. I rose up to leave, after telling 
the old money-shark what I thought of him. Be- 
fore I could begin, he exclaimed, ‘Sit down and 
hear me out. I have better proof than Jack’s word 
that what you tell me Is true. I have heard from 
Denver and I know that he is now behaving him- 
self like a sensible man.’ When I expressed my 
surprise, he added, ‘Yes, I know all about Jack — 
his actings and doings.’ I told him that I did not 
know that he had friends and correspondents In 
Denver. The old cynic replied, ‘Any man’s your 
friend if you will pay him enough, and any man 
will correspond with you if you make it to his ad- 
vantage. My information comes through the head 
of the detective force. I have had Jack shadowed 
for several months, and now I’ll tell you why I had 
it done and why I sent for you. You are Jack’s 
friend. I am not quite as poor as some people 
think I am — Jack, for instance. I have held on to 
my money, but the time has come when I must leave 
it — must give it up, and let somebody have it. I 
am sorry that I can’t carry It with me, but as I can’t, 
I have concluded to let Jack have it. Not that I 
care anything for him, but that I dislike him a little 
less than I do the rest of my kin.’ He paused, and 
I suggested that he would like to see a lawyer. Oh, 
no ! Oh, no ! Lawyers are greater frauds than 


i 62 the way to win 

doctors, if that be possible. At one time I did 
think of making a will, but I didn’t feel able to 
pay the fee, and the law, you know, gives the little 
that I have to Jack as my next of kin.’ 

“Taking a large sealed envelope from under his 
pillow, he said: 

“ ‘You will find a list of all my things in here 
and where they are to be found. I will put it into 
your hands upon one condition — that you will not 
open it until I am dead and that you will then tele- 
graph Jack to come on and take possession. 1 
have no confidence in you or anybody else. I only 
think it better for that list of my things to be in 
the hands of a man who claims to be a friend to 
Jack, than to let it fall into the hands of some fel- 
low rummaging round after I am dead — Jack may 
stand a better chance of getting it.’ 

He gave me the envelope, and as he did so he in- 
timated that my presence was no longer desired. 
Two days after, he died of a disease that is getting 
to be only too common, — heart failure, — which is 
a euphemistic way that we doctors have of admit- 
ting that we really didn’t know what was the matter 
with the patient. I then opened the envelope, and 
if Vesuvius and Etna had both burst forth under 
my feet I could not have been more surprised than 
I was, as I read the long list of government bonds, 
railroad stocks, and bank stocks — all sound and 
good, and interest bearing, and aggregating, as I 
said, several hundred thousand dollars. In the 
envelope I also found a key and a slip of paper on 
which was written National Park Bank. At first 


THE WAY TO WIN 163 

1 thought the old razor was trying to perpetrate a 
practical joke to take effect after his death and 
have a little skeleton fun down in Hades. On sec- 
ond thought, however, I concluded that it could do 
no harm to interview the president of the bank, 
with whom I was on pleasant terms and intimate 
business relations. I showed him the list and 
asked him what he knew about it. He looked it 
over and said: ‘I can’t speak positively, but I am 
of opinion that the list is correct, and I think you 
will find all these bonds and stocks in the zinc box 
which he kept in the vault. I suppose I am the 
only man to whom he would talk. He was an edu- 
cated eccentric — never had a decent suit of clothes 
— would walk a mile to keep from speaking to 
you — was always in fear of starvation — imagined 
that everybody was trying to swindle him — was 
always pleading poverty — had an abnormal genius 
for money-making, and his speculative instinct was 
unerring. He was prouder in his apparent pov- 
erty than Vanderbilt could possibly be with his mil- 
lions. Yes, I think the list of bonds and stocks is 
about correct. In addition, you will find a bank 
book somewhere showing several thousand dollars 
on deposit in this bank which he was seeking to in- 
vest at the time of his death.’ I left in a kind of 
Arabian night dream, went to the office, sent you 
the telegram that you received, and now you know 
as much as I do.” 

“It is w’onderful,” said Hamilton. “This old 
man, as I am told, was just finishing his junior year 
at Yale when his father died leaving him a com- 


1 64 THE WAY TO WIN 

fortable fortune. He was then considered a young 
man of good ability and some promise, but of 
retiring disposition and moody habits. He left 
college and withdrew from society, avoiding espe- 
cially my father, the only male member of the fam- 
ily. He hid himself in some cheap boarding-house 
and could not be seen for weeks at a time. When 
he could be seen his dress was not respectable, and 
upon my father’s remonstrating with him he be- 
came furious and refused all further intercourse. 
It was not long before he managed to let it be 
known that he had lost his last dollar in specula- 
tion, that he w'as living in abject poverty, and this 
reputation he succeeded in keeping alive for about 
a half-century — until his death. I had heard of 
his existence, but I never met with him until after 
my return from Europe. It was during the last 
two years of my stay here that he made himself 
known to me. He came to my room one morning 
before I was dressed — he always came before busi- 
ness hours — made himself known, begged that I 
would lend him ten dollars, and sniffled and whined 
about his poverty. He was thinly dressed and 
shivering with cold. He said he was about to be 
turned out of his boarding-house — that ten dollars 
would satisfy the harpy with whom he w'as board- 
ing and save him from starving. Of course, I let 
him have the money and offered him more, which 
he refused. This farce was repeated several times 
before I went to Denver — ” 

“Oh, well,” interrupted Livingstone, “stop your 
soliloquizing tone. It is neither profitable to the 


THE WAY TO WIN 165 

departed nor entertaining to me. I have no doubt 
the old fraud is now in pandemonium, holding high 
carnival with Dives over their financial successes 
in this world. The only good thing he ever did 
was when he took his departure, and he wouldn’t 
have done that only he couldn’t help it. I haven’t 
a doubt that he swindled old Charon out of his 
ferry fee. My surprise, however, is that he didn’t 
leave his money to some institution of — ” 

“I am glad he did not,” interrupted Hamilton. 
“If there is one man for whom I feel a more pro- 
found contempt than for another, it is the man 
who clings to his possessions to the last breath and 
then gives them to some charitable institution or 
educational school. Practically, he is giving away, 
under the forms of law, the goods of another.” 

“Jack, you seem to have dropped into a moraliz- 
ing and philosophic vein, but as I occasionally go 
to hear Dr. Flower, who elocutionizes on such sub- 
jects every Sunday from the pulpit, and makes the 
sinner feel comfortable by showing him how to 
get to heaven on flowery beds of ease, I would pre- 
fer to hear you on other themes. Tell me about 
Denver, why you like it, and of its future prospects 
and possibilities.” 

So the conversation flowed on about the climatic 
advantages of the country, the magnificent scenery, 
mountains piled upon mountains until they rest 
against the sky, the grand waterfalls, the wonder- 
ful gulches, the fishing waters, the rapid develop- 
ment of Denver and the large investments made 
there by Eastern capitalists, until Hamilton sug- 


i66 THE WAY TO WIN 

gested a call at the bank and the investigation of 
the zinc box. They reached the bank to find the 
President in his office. The list of bonds and 
stocks was soon verified and found to be correct. 
The bank book which was found in the box showed 
twenty thousand dollars on deposit, for which the 
old man was seeking investment when he died. 
Before he could get possession, administration was 
necessary, and Hamilton took the required pre- 
liminary steps without delay. 


CHAPTER XVI 


Some ten days after Hamilton left for New 
York, Kate was sitting on the piazza, when Dr. 
Blake came in from his hospital and from seeing 
some of Hamilton’s patients. He took a chair 
near Kate, remarking as he did so : 

“I received a letter from Hamilton to-day, and 
he tells me he will not be here for four or five 
weeks. I wish he would hurry his coming, for his 
practice is more extensive than even I supposed.” 

“I am sorry. Uncle Gus, that this affliction has 
befallen you in your old age, but I trust that you 
will be able to hold out until his return. What else 
did he say and what is keeping him so long? I got 
a telegram from Grace to-day, saying that she 
would be here Monday, and I did hope that Dr. 
Hamilton would be able to accompany her.” 

“Kate, you are a sly Kitty, but I am not in need 
of any of your sham sympathy, and you must not 
poke any of your foxy fun at me, for I would have 
you to understand, and the rest of womankind in 
particular, that I am still on my first legs and 
among the eligibles — widows excepted. When I 
said I was tired I had no reference to the flesh, for 
the work in itself is a mere pastime, and I have lots 
of fun with some of the imaginative sick ones. I 


167 


i68 THE WAY TO WIN 

only mean that I have been out of that line so long 
that the harness doesn’t feel comfortable at times, 
and as to the fun — well, you know that even a child 
can get too much candy.” 

“But what’s the matter with the widows. Uncle 
Gus?” 

“That fellow had an experience who said, ‘Be- 
ware of vidders.’ They are just a little bit too 
knowing, and can land their fish before the poor 
fellow is conscious of having bitten at the hook. 
They are my special amusement, and I enjoy them 
very much — at a distance. Within arm’s length 
they are too cooingly fetching, and when they settle 
down to ensnare their victim they are just too ut- 
terly too-too.” 

“Uncle Gus, measured by your declared stand- 
ard, you are fated for a widow, for your unassum- 
ing and retiring modesty is at all times crying out 
for help. But you haven’t answered my question 
about Dr. Hamilton.” 

“Oh, you want to know what he says In his let- 
ter and why he remains so long in New York, eh? 
Well, In order to get you down to a few sensible 
and rational remarks I had better puncture your 
vanity and tell you he made no reference to you in 
a long letter, and — ” 

“On the contrary,” interrupted Kate, “you build 
me up in my own esteem and at the same time you 
increase my respect for Dr. Hamilton.” 

“How so, you compound of vague generalities 
and refined subtleties?” 

“Because, in my opinion, no really refined 


THE WAY TO WIN 169 

woman cares to have herself made the subject of 
gossip in an ordinary letter between male corre- 
spondents. In not mentioning my name, then, he 
has paid me a compliment. It shows also that Dr. 
Hamilton is appreciative of the proprieties, and 
that should strengthen him in the esteem of every- 
body who regards culture and refinement.” 

Dr. Blake looked fixedly at her until she ex- 
claimed in some confusion: 

“What makes you look at me in that way?” 

“I was only admiring your skill in handling the 
wisdom of the diplomat, who said, ‘Language is 
given us to conceal our thoughts.’ But as you are 
beginning to fly the colors of the pirate we will 
not enter into details. In one thing, however, you 
are greatly mistaken — it was no ordinary letter 
that I received from Hamilton.” 

“Well, why don’t you tell me wherein it is ex- 
traordinary? Does he excel in letter-writing? If 
he does, it is a rare gift, and not generally ap- 
preciated.” 

“I had no reference to the manner and style of 
the letter, but to its contents, the subject-matter of 
the letter, and I think you will agree with me that 
it is a little out of the ordinary.” 

“Well, why don’t you go on and tell me? I be- 
lieve you are drawing on your imagination and 
making a mountain out of a mole hill in order to 
excite my curiosity.” 

“I admit it is a great surprise to me, and I think 
he might have given us some intimation before he 
left.” 


170 THE WAY TO WIN 

“I don’t believe there is anything unusual in that 
letter, or you would not linger so long in the telling 
of it.” 

“What if I were to tell you he had taken unto 
himself a wife?” 

“Then I would say I do not believe you. Grant, 
however, that he has, 1 don’t see that there is any- 
thing unusual in that. In fact, it is very common — 
most people marry.” 

“But the manner of it, Kate — the manner of it.” 

“You have said nothing about the manner. I 
suppose a clergyman officiated, as usual.” 

“Well, jesting aside; what if I were to tell you 
he has inherited several hundred thousand dol- 
lars?” 

“I would tell you that I do not believe one word 
of it.” 

“Well, Kate, that is just what his letter tells me, 
and I think you will agree with me that such let- 
ters are not very common.” 

“They are so very uncommon that I do not be- 
lieve you have any such letter from Dr. Hamilton.” 

“I suppose, then, that your Uncle Gus has gone 
into the business of lying, has he?” 

“No, for my Uncle Gus does not expect me to 
believe his marvelous tale about the several hun- 
dred thousand dollars. He is only industriously 
cultivating his one talent — that of teasing.” 

“You must remember he was here the night he 
left and received a telegram calling him to New 
York? He said nothing about the contents of the 
telegram further than that it called him away and 


THE WAY TO WIN 171 

that he must leave on the first train. From his 
letter I learn that the telegram informed him of the 
death of his only uncle, who had lived a life of 
miserly starvation that he might die the death of 
a fool and leave something like a half-million of 
money to a man for whom he had no love, — Ham- 
ilton, — but whom he did not hate quite as much as 
he did the rest of his relations. It was a glorious 
ambition, and points a moral and adorns a tale 
with all the force and effect of a trip-hammer. The 
estate was an astonishment and a wonder to the 
public, and to nobody more than to Hamilton. 
When living in New York the old sponge occa- 
sionally came begging for the loan of ten dollars 
and whining about the danger of being turned out 
of his boarding-house. He always got the money 
and he always forgot to repay it. His poverty 
would not allow him to send for a doctor in his 
last illness, and he refused to make a will because 
he was too poor to fee a lawyer. Two days before 
he died he sent for a man that he had met at Ham- 
ilton’s rooms and whom he knew to be Hamilton’s 
friend, and gave him a list of all his worldly goods 
enclosed in a sealed envelope, on condition that 
the seal should not be broken until the old fraud 
had gone to keep company with the gentleman that 
made complaint against Job and who afterwards 
quoted scripture from the pinnacle of Solomon’s 
temple. 

Hearing that the old money-shark had gone to 
the waterless regions, Hamilton’s friend opened 
the envelope to find a list of bonds and stocks that 


172 THE WAY TO WIN 

simply paralyzed him for a time. Halfway sus- 
pecting that the old cinder was trying to perpetrate 
a post-mortem joke, he rushed to the bank of de- 
posit to find the list correct. Then it was that he 
sent the telegram that hurried Hamilton to New 
York. Now you know as much as I do ; but there’s 
the letter, which you can read and dispel your un- 
belief, while I go to my den in search of slippers 
and cigars for the evening.” 

Kate had read the letter and was apparently lost 
in thought and looking into vacancy, when he re- 
turned and said: “Well, my doubting Thomas, 
having put your finger into the print of the nails 
and thrust your hand into the side, do you now be- 
lieve, and what do you think of it?” 

“I was just thinking of that old man dying in 
poverty in the midst of his thousands, and how 
sure it is that our good deeds, sooner or later, will 
come home to us with their rewards.” 

“I am not good at conundrums, Kate, and I 
never guessed a riddle in my life. You will have 
to be more explicit as to your meaning.” 

“I was thinking how certainly the overweening 
love of money brings all that is earthly in our na- 
ture to the surface by perverting conscience and de- 
stroying all sense of moral obligation. It smothers 
every particle of the breath that was breathed into 
us when the Garden of Eden was planned — only 
the animal remains. Now, I have no doubt that 
Dr. Hamilton was disgusted with what he consid- 
ered the mulish obstinacy of his uncle and with the 
low and dirty life he was leading, yet he always 


THE WAY TO WIN 173 

gave when he asked, and in doing so, without 
thinking of it, he was casting bread upon the 
waters, which have returned to him a thousand 
fold. UnawareS; he softened the old man’s dis- 
like, and the reward unsought has come to him. 
Are my thoughts worth a penny. Uncle Gus ?” 

“No; to moralize is about the cheapest thing 
on earth. It is suited only for the study or private 
room. It is not suited to social life, and the party 
attempting it only succeeds in making a bore of 
himself. It is a bad habit, as well as a cheap 
habit, and you ought not to indulge in it, except 
when alone or in your dreams, for it is all pretty 
much the product of dreamland.” 

“Are you not traveling within the borders of that 
dreamland?” 

“Only for your benefit, Kate, only for your bene- 
fit, and to show you what a thin and unpalatable 
diet it is. But you made a remark just now that 
leads me to suppose that you believe in the theory 
of evolution. How about that?” 

“To what remark do you refer? I do not re- 
call it.” 

“You spoke of man as an animal when the 
breath of life was breathed into him.” 

“Oh, I shall not allow you to entangle me in 
any such discussion. In the first place, I know 
nothing about it, and in the second place, I incline 
to the opinion that it is all much ado about noth- 
ing.” 

“Do they make woman’s rights the whole thing 
at Vassar? I thought they taught a little of every- 


174 the way to win 

thing there. Now, from a scientific point of view, I 
incline to the theory of evolution, but looking at it 
from a biblical standpoint I agree with you, it Is 
much ado about nothing, and these pulpit maniacs, 
who have been raving about it and denouncing 
it as heresy, have simply been making superb asses 
of themselves. We are told that all things were 
created In the beginning. When that was we do 
not know, but it was doubtless millions of years 
ago. If the Creator invested matter with certain 
forces and vitalities, as the evolutionists claim, 
and directed them into certain channels so that they 
would go on from age to age, and from period to 
period, evolving the higher type from the lower 
until the man animal was evolved, it seems to me a 
greater manifestation of omniscience and omnipo- 
tence than if he had simply taken so much clay 
and fashioned him as we now see him. It matters, 
then, very little how he got here, for under either 
view he is none the less the workmanship of the 
Creator and he did not become a responsible being 
until the breath of life was breathed Into him. Be- 
fore this he was a mere animal; he became a living 
soul and responsible only from the moment that 
the breath of life was breathed into his nostrils — 
from that moment the great majority of evolution- 
ists are in full accord with the divines. What do 
you think of It, Kate?” 

“I am not thinking about It at all. Uncle Gus, 
and if you are hunting a discussion you are wasting 
time. I know nothing about it and I care nothing 
about it. He is here, and it seems to me that his 


THE WAY TO WIN 175 

ending is of much greater interest than his begin- 
ning.” 

“Enough said! If ignorance is bliss, it is folly 
to be wise, and it is unkind to disturb the dreamer 
when the dream is harmless.” 

They sat for some time in silence, when Kate 
asked: 

“Uncle Gus, do you think Dr. Hamilton will re- 
turn to Denver?” 

“Certainly. Why do you ask such a question?” 

“He is rich now and can afford to live in his old 
style among his old friends.” 

“I am satisfied that Denver will be his home in 
the future. He conceals nothing, and I have heard 
the story of his old life more than once in its every 
detail, both at home and abroad, and I am con- 
vinced that no earthly consideration could induce 
him to return to the old life again. When a man 
frankly admits his mistakes and by open conduct 
shows that he has turned his back upon the past, 
he gives proof of manhood and will power that 
commands confidence. It is the man that makes 
large professions and who at the same time seeks 
to hide and conceal the vices of his life that is not 
to be trusted, for the desire to conceal is a mistake 
of itself and evidence that he still holds the old 
flesh-pots in kind remembrance.” 

“I hope,” said Kate, “that he will return, for I 
would regret very much to lose him from our set.” 

Dr. Blake, smiling, said: 

“Is that all, Kate? You know you can confide 
in me.” 


176 THE WAY TO WIN 

She flushed, and in a jocose manner answered: 

“No, and I will trust you if you will promise to 
be very, very discreet and will never, never tell.” 

“Go ahead, Kate. Neither the Council of Ten, 
nor the thumb-screw, nor red-hot pinchers, nor all 
combined, shall be able to get it out of me. If 
anybody questions me, I will lie like a first-class 
diplomat.” 

“On your own conditions I will tell you. I think 
I have done him some wrong and I would like to 
see him and make the amende honorable.” 

“Surely, Kate, you haven’t been flirting with 
Hamilton and lured him to a fall. I have always 
thought you incapable of such conduct.” 

“How you do rush to conclusions! No, I have 
never flirted with him, for he has never given me 
the chance even if I could have descended to such 
shallow conduct. Neither have I lured him to a 
fall, as you call it, for he never gave me the oppor- 
tunity.” 

“Look here, Kate, you seem to be tickled about 
something, but I can’t catch on to the fun. If you 
didn’t wrong him in the way I surmised, how else 
could you have wronged him ?” 

“There you go again, as if a woman could wrong 
a man only in affairs of the heart. When did you 
first know Dr. Hamilton?” 

“Well, of all the irrelevant stuff I ever heard 
you can get off the most of it. In the name of 
Pluto, what has my first knowledge of Hamilton 
got to do with the wrong you have done him?” 


THE WAY TO WIN 177 

“I wouldn’t have asked that question If I hadn’t 
expected an answer.” 

“If It will serve as a cork-screw to draw your 
secret, I will say that the first time I saw Hamilton 
was when he called at my office with a letter of In- 
troduction from an old and valued friend of mine.” 

“But you don’t give me the time he first came 
to your office.” 

“Pshaw! How can you expect It? I am not a 
walking chronological list of dates, past, present 
and to come. It was more than a year ago, and all 
that I now remember Is that he said he had been in 
Denver about a month when he called at the office.” 

“Will It surprise you to know that I met him 
just about a month before you did, and elsewhere 
than In Denver?” 

“Well, what of that? I suppose a great many 
people had met him, here or there, before I met 
him. There Is nothing marvelous In that, and I 
know that you have spent a few days out of this 
city. But do you mean to say that you Insulted or 
wronged him on sight?” 

“Can’t you wrong a man without insulting him. 
Uncle Gus?” 

Of all the prating, perverse pieces of perversity, 
you excel I When you reach your well-earned place 
among the departed spirits I have no doubt you will 
be able to suggest to the ruler of that province an 
additional agony for poor old Tantalus. I surren- 
der — I give it up — I throw up the sponge, and 
from now on you can umpire the game to suit your- 


178 THE WAY TO WIN 

self. But don’t forget, Kate, that I am listening 
to hear how you wronged Hamilton.” 

“Do you remember the railroad wreck in which 
my arm was broken?” 

“Of course, I remember it. It was not so long 
ago, and I am not afflicted with loss of memory or 
softening of the brain.” 

“He was on the train that day and occupied the 
seat immediately behind me. I had occasion to 
notice him because of some trouble he had with 
an old rustic who sat just in front of me and 
seemed determined to keep the window up, through 
which dust and cinders came in a perfect stream. 
Dr. Hamilton, however, succeeded in having it low- 
ered, and it was the manner in which he managed 
that old rustic that attracted my attention and 
amused me. When the crash came I was hurled 
forward toward the front of the coach, and I 
knew nothing more until I awoke at the Jones 
house to find myself in bed and Dr. Hamilton 
standing over me applying restoratives. After 
giving some instructions to Mrs. Jones, he left the 
room. When he had gone, I asked her what she 
knew about him and how I had been brought to 
her house. She told me that I had been pulled out 
of the wreck in an unconscious condition, and that 
he had picked me up and brought me to her house ; 
that he then ordered in one of his trunks, opened it, 
took such restoratives as he had with him and 
went to work. She said she knew nothing about 
him, but supposed he was a friend of mine, and 
that his trunk was marked ‘Dr. Jack Hamilton, 


THE WAY TO WIN 179 

New York.’ About this time he returned and told 
me, among other things, that my arm was broken 
and in need of immediate attention — gave me his 
name and assured me that he was equal to my pres- 
ent wants. Uncle Gus, I had heard all about him 
through Grace Russell, and I knew that he was 
a gentleman and skilled in his profession. I put 
myself under his care and you know with what re- 
sult. When he asked me my name I made an inex- 
cusable mistake in refusing to give it. I told him 
he might call me Kate, and that explains the tele- 
gram that father received, as you and he were 
boarding the train, which relieved your anxiety and 
which you said was directed to the general public. 
He sent it, and it was the very best he could do, 
as I refused to give him my name or that of my 
father. But what is worse, if possible. Uncle Gus, 
when you introduced him to me at the theater I met 
him as an utter stranger, and neither of us has since 
referred to the railroad wreck. I know. Uncle 
Gus, I have done wrong, very wrong, but you must 
not scold me too much, for you cannot imagine how 
thoroughly ashamed I am of myself and of my mis- 
erable conduct.” 

Dr. Blake looked at her for a minute, and to 
Kate it seemed a half hour, before he said: 

‘‘Well, of all the idiots I have ever met, you are 
entitled to the first prize. Surely, you don’t mean 
to tell me, in all the hundred conversations you 
have had with Hamilton during the past year, you 
have not done yourself the justice nor him the po- 
liteness to refer to his kindness and service on that 


i8o THE WAY TO WIN 

occasion? I see but one way of escape for you. 
When he returns, tell him you met with Mrs. Jones 
during his absence; that, while you had no recol- 
lection of ever having seen her, she recognized you, 
recalled the railroad accident and made you ac- 
quainted with its details; that the shock and the 
fright at the time so affected your nervous system 
as to temporarily destroy your memory; that you 
are deeply indebted to Mrs. Jones for making 
known to you the facts of that accident, and that, 
now he knows your unfortunate condition on that 
occasion, you feel assured that he will no longer 
suspect you of apparently neglecting the ordinary 
courtesies of life. Of course he won’t believe you, 
but you may be able, in this way, to awaken his 
sympathy and soften his contempt.” 

Kate’s eyes were moist and there was a plaint in 
her voice as she replied : 

“Uncle Gus, you are more than cruel ! I came 
to you with my trouble and you make me a target 
for ridicule! You are simply brutal! I shall not 
adopt the way your wisdom points out, but when he 
returns and opportunity offers I shall make a frank, 
womanly statement to him. It will be truly humili- 
ating, but I believe he is man enough to forgive. 
Uncle Gus, you are very intimate with him, and I 
would like to know if he has ever referred to the 
matter when talking with you?” 

“Certainly not. Hamilton is a gentleman, and 
when he saw that you had forgotten, or desired to 
forget, it was impossible for him to remember. 


THE WAY TO WIN i8i 

But why have you kept all this from your father 
and from me?” 

“I don’t know. I wish I had told you, but I have 
gone on heaping blunder upon blunder until I am 
overcome with humiliation.” 

“Since you have told me what you have, I will 
tell you something going to show that I, too, am 
badly in need of a kicking machine for personal 
use. If I hadn’t been as dense as the Rockies I 
would have known long ago that Hamilton dressed 
your arm.” 

“How could you. Uncle Gus, when you had 
never met him?” 

“True, but I have met him since and I have seen 
his handy work. If you remember, I was strong 
in my praise, at the time, of the manner in which 
the work had been executed, and commented on 
it after we had gotten you home and wondered who 
could have done it. The appliances had not been 
used in the ordinary way, but after the fashion re- 
cently recommended by some of the most eminent 
surgeons. I had read all about it, but I had never 
tried it, nor had anybody else in this part of the 
country before the coming of Hamilton. If I had 
used my brains I would have known that he came 
about the time of the railroad wreck, and having 
seen him repair similar breaks in the self-same way, 
I ought to have recognized his workmanship if I 
had been possessed of a reasonable amount of 
brains.” 

By this time Kate was smiling, and said : 

“After all. Uncle Gus, you are of some comfort 


1 82 THE WAY TO WIN 

by diverting my thoughts ; but I forgot to tell you 
that I did refer to the wreck and when in conversa- 
tion with Dr. Hamilton.” 

“In the name of common sense, Kate, what do 
you mean ? Do you mean to tell me that you have 
been sitting here all this time, with brimming eyes 
and sobbing voice, playing the actor’s part and 
having some quiet fun out of your Uncle Gus?” 

“Oh, no. Everything is just as bad as I told 
you.” 

“What ! — did you bring the subject up and then 
offer no explanation? When and where did you 
make this last blunder?” 

“In this way. As I told you, when he was re- 
pairing my arm, as you call it, he asked me my 
name, and I told him he might call me Kate. You 
may have observed, notwithstanding the friendship 
existing between us, that he persistently calls me 
Miss Somers. You may remember, also, that the 
night he left for New York he was here when the 
telegram reached him. He went away immedi- 
ately on receipt of it, and I went with him to the 
steps of the veranda. Well, when he was shaking 
hands with me and bidding me good bye, ,as 
usual, he called me Miss Somers, and I asked him, 
‘Why so formal? I thought I gave you permis- 
sion to call me Kate?’ ” 

“Go on, Kate, it was a beautiful opening. What 
happened then?” 

“Well, his language seemed a little confused. 
He stopped for further conversation, when I said, 
‘Dr. Hamilton, you will miss your train. Au re- 


THE WAY TO WIN 183 

voir,’ and I left him and returned to you and 
father.” 

Dr. Blake looked at her for a few moments as 
if at a loss for words to express himself. He 
seemed to be greatly astonished, and said : 

“Kate, if it were not for the great respect I have 
for the clothes you wear, I would — and it would 
be the most satisfactory moment of my life — con- 
vert myself into the kicking machine of which men- 
tion has been made and which is so much needed. 
This last blunder, considering all the circumstances, 
and more particularly that he had, only that day, 
perhaps, saved you from a broken neck, was the 
greatest blunder of them all and inexcusably cruel. 
How could you forget yourself?” 

“I am not so sure that I did forget myself, nor 
am I sure that I committed a blunder. As you say, 
it was a beautiful opening, but there was no time to 
take advantage of it. He barely had time to make 
ready and catch his train, and it would have been 
wrong to detain him. It was I that made the open- 
ing, and if the matter is of any interest to him I 
have no fear but that he will bring it up again after 
his return. In this way. Uncle Gus, you see I will 
find my opportunity for an explanation without 
having to seek it or to force it.” 

The doctor looked at her for a time in perfect 
silence as if quite overcome. Finally he remarked, 
as if talking to himself : 

“Mother Eve was an innocent fledgling, what we 
would now call a back-number from away back, 
and her daughters are a great improvement on her 


1 84 THE WAY TO WIN 

— in some respects. I wish we had another show- 
ing for the Garden of Eden ! I would like to see 
his Satanic Majesty inject himself into a serpent 
and come fooling round the modern girl for a chit- 
chat with the intention of deceiving and entrapping 
her. He would quickly find himself outwitted, cor- 
ralled and boxed, and traveling round the country 
as a side-show to some circus at ten cents a peep — 
leaving the preachers without a job and the rest of 
mankind safe for all the future. O for one more 
chance to pit the modern girl against the devil, 
and — Eden is ours I But here comes Dick, and the 
mice, you know, can only play when the cat is 
away.” 

“You must not forget your promise. Uncle Gus.” 

“No danger. Fear is a great stimulus to mem- 
ory, and I am thoroughly afraid of the modern 
girl.” 

Judge Somers, catching the import of the last 
words, asked: 

“What is that you are afraid of, Gus?” 

“Snakes, Dick, snakes; and if one were to speak 
to me, somebody would be seen making tracks from 
that vicinity at the rate of a mile a minute. His 
snakeship would not be able to keep near enough 
to maintain even a running conversation.” 

“I don’t understand you. What do you mean 
by such nonsense ? Are you crazy ?” 

“No, but I soon would be if I were to meet with 
a talking snake. Kate and I were just now won- 
dering how it was that Mother Eve could hold a 
confab with a snake and not be surprised and 


THE WAY TO WIN 185 

alarmed at its power of speech and knowledge of 
the Hebrew tongue. You know she seemed to be 
quite at home with his snakeship, and the conversa- 
tion nowhere shows that her composure was dis- 
turbed even with the slightest ripple. What do 
you think of it, Dick?” 


CHAPTER XVII 


When Hamilton had set the machinery of the 
law in motion he gave some attention to old friends 
and social pleasures. He spent an evening with 
Grace Russell, delivered Kate’s message, discussed 
life in New York in a general way, but more par- 
ticularly in detail the actings and doings of his old 
circle — about which there was plenty of gossip. 
He was gratified to learn that Grace had decided to 
visit Denver at an early day — that she would prob- 
ably remain several weeks and that she might 
stretch her visit into several months, two or three. 
They had a jolly time relating their experiences of 
the past year, and before they separated Grace had 
consented to delay her departure for Denver until 
he was ready to return. 

We are told that all things come to them who 
wait, and in this way Hamilton reached the end of 
even the law’s delay. All the required formalities 
had been met; he had been put in possession of 
his property and he had arranged with Grace to 
leave for Denver the next day. 

It was a balmy night and the zephyrs were such 
as love to linger in a lady’s curl. His old club, of 
which Hamilton was still a member, was giving a 
banquet in his honor. The rooms were brilliantly 
186 


THE WAY TO WIN 187 

lighted; the members were out in full force, with 
Hamilton in their midst, and jocund jollity was run- 
ning riot. Anecdote was rife, joke and jest were 
bandied to and fro, repartee played from one to the 
other like a shuttle in a weaver’s loom, and the 
merriment and abandon were as joyous as those 
of the schoolboy when the shadows of the term 
time melt into the rays of the sunshine of the vaca- 
tion. 

“Say, Hamilton, is your hand as cunning with 
the cue as in the days of old, when you rollicked 
with the boys?” was the question of Perry Noble. 

“I can’t say that it is, as I now play billiards only 
in private.” 

“I am not sure that I understand you. What do 
you mean?” 

“I mean that I never play in a public saloon — 
only in a private room or at a private house with 
personal friends.” 

“Well, I want to pit you against Hawthorn, who 
now wears the honors of this club. Will you play 
him?” 

“I have no objection if it will contribute to the 
entertainment of our friends and if it meets with 
Hawthorn’s approval.” 

They went to the billiard-room and the game 
was begun, and it quickly developed that the play- 
ers were masterly matched. It had been progress- 
ing for some time, when Percy Howard came in, 
and, seeing the players, called out: 

“Here is an X that Hawthorn beats the game. 
Who will take it?” 


1 88 THE WAY TO WIN 

Livingstone, who was watching the game, an- 
swered: 

“Put up your money, Howard; Hamilton leads 
by three points.” 

“That is just what I am offering to do — to put 
up,” said Howard; “and if Hamilton has a friend 
who will back him, I will double the bet that Haw- 
thorn wins the game.” 

“You had better take Livingstone’s advice and 
put your money in your pocket,” said Noble. Ham- 
ilton is not only leading by three points, but an ordi- 
nary player, such as I am, can see that Hawthorn 
has had the misfortune to leave the balls in such 
position on the table that Hamilton now has a run 
before him. However, if it is any accommodation 
to you, I will take the bet — say twenty dollars.” 

It was Hamilton’s play, but he had stopped and 
had given attention to the betting conversation. 
When it was over, he said : 

“Gentlemen, I trust you will not make us the sub- 
ject of a bet. Hawthorn and I are merely trying to 
furnish a little entertainment for our friends, and 
at the same time, in a friendly way, test each oth- 
er’s skill at the game. What say you. Hawthorn, 
do you agree with me?” 

Hawthorn was a cultured and refined gentleman. 
Personally he had no objection to betting in a small 
way or to being made the subject of a bet. He was 
quick of perception, always respectful of another’s 
wishes, and seeing that Hamilton was in earnest, 
he replied: 

“Gentlemen, I agree with Hamilton. Let the 


THE WAY TO WIN 189 

bet be declared off. I will add, for Howard’s in- 
formation, that the game is lost — Hamilton has it 
in hand and is sure to win.” 

Howard was a gentleman of the bull-dog type, 
and he retorted: 

‘‘If I lose my money, that is my affair, and I 
don’t see how it can affect Hamilton or Hawthorn. 
The bet is made, the money is up and will remain 
up, so far as I am concerned, unless Noble backs 
down.” 

Turning to Hamilton, Howard said: 

‘‘What’s the matter with you, Hamilton? I re- 
member that it was only a few months ago that you 
had no objection to worshipping at the shrine of 
the fickle goddess. What change has come over 
the spirit of your dreams?” 

‘‘There is nothing the matter with me, nor am I 
dreaming. Yes, I was, as you say, only a few 
months ago a devotee at the altar of the Goddess 
Fortune, and I proved her — just as Sallust de- 
scribed her in his day — very fickle. I found that 
the rewards she bestowed upon me for my devotion 
were injurious morally, mentally, and socially; and 
I determined, then and there, to abandon her wor- 
ship for all time. Others may do as they please, 
but I have found no reason to regret my determina- 
tion.” 

‘‘But you are not betting. Nobody is asking you 
to bet. You are simply forbidding others to bet.” 

‘‘I am only objecting to others making me the 
subject of a bet — it having come to my knowledge. 
Others may bet as much as they please and it is 


190 THE WAY TO WIN 

none of my business, but when it comes to making 
a betting machine of me, or making me the conduit 
of a bet, so to speak, I have a right to refuse being 
so used. It then becomes a matter of interest to me, 
and to that extent it becomes my affair. You are 
a lawyer, Howard. Suppose you intend to poison 
Hawthorn and come to me for the drug and I fur- 
nish it, knowing its use, am I not an aider and abet- 
tor, and equally guilty with the principal? Do I 
state the matter correctly?” 

‘Not as a lawyer would state it. But I catch 
your meaning, and it is applicable only to felonies. 
Now this issue between us is wholly moral and 
partakes in no sense of the legal.” 

‘‘If you will analyze the principle, however, you 
will find it to be the same, whether the issue is 
moral or legal, and you know it. If I sit down here 
and play a game of draw-poker, refusing to bet my- 
self, but permitting you to bet on me, and with all 
the cunning skill of the expert I win the money of 
the fleeced victim, — the money going into your 
pocket, — wherein am I better than you? But why 
discuss the question, as I am determined not to be 
made the subject of a bet when I know it.” 

‘‘Howard,” said Hawthorn, “one of two things 
is certain, either the bet is off or the game is off — 
take your choice.” 

“I am not willing to make myself a marplot at 
any time or under any circumstances,” returned 
Howard. “I think Hamilton a little squeamish, 
but in deference to the wishes of the club I consent 
to the withdrawal of the stakes.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 19 1 

The game was resumed and Hamilton managed 
to increase his lead before the finish. 

The flow of soul had flooded the channels of . 
pleasure; the wine circulating had filled the glasses 
around Hamilton, but his remained untouched; the 
banqueting was drawing to a close; the hands on 
the dial showed near the midnight hour, when 
Hudson looked up and, as if surprised, exclaimed: 

“Is anything WTong w'ith your wine. Jack, that 
your glasses stand full ? I hope the whiskey of the 
West has not spoiled your palate for good wine 
and the civilized things of the East.” 

“From the way it disappears among you fellows, 
Hudson, I would say the wine is all right and up to 
the latest edition of civilization.” 

“But I notice that yours still appears.” 

With the hope of making a diversion, Living- 
stone put in : 

“I suppose, Hudson, you look upon old man 
Noah as a highly civilized gentleman. But the 
waiters are neglecting you — your glasses are empty 
and you had better have them filled.” 

“Livingstone, you are right. Noah was the lead- 
ing man of his day, heading the list, and I honor the 
man that first planted a vineyard. I don’t want my 
glasses filled. If full, they would be like Jack’s, 
and that is the point of my objection.” 

“Not long,” laughed Livingstone, “you would 
soon settle that point.” 

“Of the making of laws there is no end,” inter- 
rupted Hawthorn; “but a few natural rights are 


192 THE WAY TO WIN 

left us, and Hamilton is only exercising one of these 
natural rights.” 

But Hudson was slightly elevated with the wine 
he had drunk, and being of a cool temperament and 
a little obstinate in his disposition, he was not to 
be diverted, and replied: 

“Partly right and partly wrong. Hawthorn. It 
is natural to take a little wine— for the stomach’s 
sake, you know; but in my opinion Jack is not exer- 
cising this natural right.” 

“Just there, Hudson, you must allow me to put 
in my oar,’ said Hamilton. “If you mean to say a 
taste for wine is natural, you are certainly mis- 
taken. It is no more so than the taste for to- 
bacco — both are acquired, as I can prove. Now, 
if you will only — ” 

“Hold, Jack,” broke in Hudson, “hold. As 
much as I love you for a real jolly, good fellow, I 
do not think I can stand it. You are about to go 
off into one of your prosy, analytical, metaphysical 
abstractions that you call argument, and by way of 
good-bye it will leave a bad taste behind you. How- 
ever, I am glad you said what you did. My gov- 
ernor, only this morning, went for me in fine style 
and more than hinted that I was a spendthrift, that 
I have a constitutional aversion to keeping any of 
the filthy stuff about me, and emphasized in an inti- 
mation that I am not calculated to acquire anything. 
What you said is very comforting to me, for it 
shows that the governor is laboring under a very 
serious mistake, and I have great respect for your 
opinion — when it agrees with my own. But all this 


THE WAY TO WIN 193 

is no answer to my question — what’s the matter 
with the wine?” 

“Nothing is wrong with the wine so far as I 
know. But, to make myself understood beyond 
all doubt, if it were nectar fit for the gods I would 
refuse to taste it!” Hamilton spoke with strong 
emphasis. 

“Gone into the total abstinence business, eh?” 
said Hudson. “It’s the best joke of the season. 
Jack, you may be able to play the cherub out in 
Denver, but you forgot, old fellow, that here we 
all know you of old.” 

“Yes, you know the old Jack, but you seem not to 
know the new Jack.” 

“Old fellow, you had better be careful. It must 
be a spirited girl who will take it upon herself to 
handle the check-rein before the team is harnessed. 
Come, Jack, one glass at parting and to the mem- 
ory of the good times we have had and to the days 
that are gone. Jack, it will never be heard of in 
Denver.” 

“If I made such a promise, Hudson, would it be 
honorable to break in — granting that the breach 
would never reach Denver?” 

“Now you are trying to get up an argument 
again, but it’s no go. That is an old trick of yours, 
but I have seen you play it too often to let you 
pull the wool over my eyes in any such dodging 
way. If you have made any such promise, I am 
sorry for you.” 

“Well, Hudson, I deserve your sympathy, for I 
have made just such a promise — but not to a girl.” 


194 the way to win 

“To whom, then, did you make it ?” 

“To myself, and it is no less binding.” 

“Pshaw ! 1 make that promise every New Year’s 
morning and break it before the set of sun. How- 
ard will tell you it is without consideration, and, 
therefore, not binding.” 

“You should keep that promise, Hudson, as I 
shall keep mine. The consideration is beyond 
money purchase — honest manhood, increased self- 
respect, and favorable growth in the estimation of 
the general public.” 

“You are afraid of public opinion, are you?” 

“Not at all, for I am now facing public opinion, 
upheld, as it is, by some of my dearest friends — 
and you know it.” 

Here Livingstone interrupted with : “Who hath 
woe, who hath sorrow, who hath redness of eyes?” 

And Hawthorn, answering, said: “He that 
looketh upon the wine when it is red within the cup 
— when it moveth itself aright.” 

And Livingstone continued; “Who hath the 
headache next day?” 

Hawthorn responded : “He that tarrieth long at 
the wine-cup overnight.” Here the laughter be- 
came general, in which Hamilton joined, as he rose 
from the table, saying: 

“Gentlemen, you are more familiar with the 
after effects than you are with the scripture pas- 
sages that suggest moderation and enjoin temper- 
ance.” 

After they had reached their rooms, Hamilton 
said: 


THE WAY TO WIN 195 

“Livingstone, my best of friends, are you not 
tired of the idle life you are living? Are you not 
weary of wondering in the morning how you will 
get through with the day? There is not much 
poetry, but there is a vast deal of truth in Long- 
fellow’s line, T<ife is real, life is earnest,’ and I can 
assure you that we must live for some object and 
work for some purpose if we would escape from 
ennm and discontent. Of all men, he must be the 
most wretched and unhappy who drifts aimlessly 
upon the current of life and, like the brute, has 
merely an existence. He can never know that sat- 
isfaction of mind, that peaceful calm of the heart, 
that quiet restfulness of feeling that comes to the 
man who is working to a well-defined end and is 
conscious that he is making himself felt in the com- 
munity in which he lives; that he is moving upon a 
plane higher than the herd around him; that he is 
contributing to the prosperity of the people, and 
that each day brings him nearer and nearer the ac- 
complishment of his purpose and the object of his 
pursuit. The mind of man is a workshop in which 
the hammer of thought is unceasingly forging the 
fruits that mark our destiny. My friend, have you 
ever thought of these things?” 

Livingstone was silent for a minute before he 
replied: 

“You ask me if I have thought of these things, 
and I answer you — yes. I have thought of them 
until I grew sick at heart. It is humiliating to con- 
fess it, but it is true, that I have done nothing for 
myself; that I am simply existing upon what others 


196 THE WAY TO WIN 

have provided; that I am abusing the advantages 
of birth, and permitting the gifts of nature to con- 
sume themselves with rust. In a word, of myself 
I am a nobody. I have never made a dollar. I 
have done nothing in the interest of my fellow- 
man, nor anything in any way that could command 
his respect. But what can I do ?” 

“Dol” exclaimed Hamilton in the midst of his 
preparations for the night’s rest, “why cut loose 
from your surroundings! You have been in the 
larvae stage long enough 1 Cut through the cocoon 
that your idleness has woven around you and go 
forth to the battle of life I Enter upon the profes- 
sional career for which you are so well fitted. You 
were with me in London and in Paris — you are not 
fond of the knife, but you are a fair operator, and 
you were conceded to be the best diagnostician of 
us all. There is the field for your talents. It is 
there that duty calls, and there can be no higher 
call. Not that you need the fees of the practi- 
tioner, for your income is large; but because no 
man has the right to bury his talents in a napkin, 
and because no man can establish character and de- 
velop manhood and enjoy the ‘glorious privilege 
of being independent’ who does not follow the 
work to which his individuality points. Try it, Liv- 
ingstone^ try it 1 It will make a man of you. But 
you will have to get away from your present en- 
vironment. You will have to turn your back on 
the companions of your revelry and the fellowship 
of languid loungers who loll the day away. Can 


THE WAY TO WIN 197 

you do it? If you can, come to Denver and enter 
into partnership with me. What say you?” 

“Do you really mean it, Jack, or are you testing 
my willingness to try?” 

“I mean every word of it. Come and test me as 
I am now testing you. Together I am sure we will 
make a success, for I know we are, in a large meas- 
ure, the complement of each other.” 

“Your offer is more than generous. Jack, and I 
will think the matter over and let you hear from 
me,” was Livingstone’s remark as he stretched 
himself in bed. 

The subject was not referred to the next morn- 
ing until the handshaking in the good-bye, when 
Hamilton said: 

“Sid, have you thought over the proposition I 
made you last night?” 

“Yes, more than was conducive to sound sleep.” 

“What conclusions have you reached, if any?” 

“I think I will run out to Denver and look over 
the place.” 


CHAPTER XVIII 

Kate was at the depot and waiting for the train 
when it rolled into the city. There is always a sen- 
sational waste of hugging and kissing on such occa- 
sions, and the two girls seemed to have an unlim- 
ited supply on hand when they met. Hamilton 
stood with hat in hand, and as soon as opportunity 
offered he remarked to Kate: 

“Miss Kate, I have been a faithful messenger. 
I delivered the message, and I now deliver the 
goods. What of the reward?” 

Kate was smiling joyously as she answered: 

“He was permitted to enter the Promised Land, 
I believe, which to you, in this instance, is stepping 
into the carriage and seeing Grace to the end of 
her journey — the Somers home.’ 

After seeing the girls to the Somers residence, 
Hamilton went directly to his office, where he 
found Dr. Blake. As he entered, the doctor 
sprang up, exclaiming: 

“Here you are at last! May all the buttons fly 
from my trousers, with not a needle and thread 
within a thousand miles, and may I lose my wish to 
die and be in paradise, if I had not rather see you 
than to have met Jesse James when in the noon- 
tide of his glory and in all the splendor of his 


198 


THE WAY TO WIN 199 

arsenal array! In proof, here’s my hand for a 
good old-fashioned country shake, which I assure 
you I would not willingly have given to the dis- 
tinguished gentleman I have just named. I feel 
as frisky as a girl in her teens when she sees her 
sweetheart coming.” 

“My dear friend, you can’t imagine how de- 
lighted I am to be at home once more and feel the 
honest clasp of your hand. It pays to be absent 
for a time when the return brings the hearty, un- 
selfish welcome of a congenial friend. I would 
not forego that pleasure for the wealth of the 
Indies, and it — ” 

“Pish, Hamilton, there you go again on one of 
your gossamer themes ! I was in hope that a little 
travel and a little mingling in society would free 
you from such sentimental vagaries. It seems I 
was mistaken. It may be that friendship did not 
have so much to do with my enthusiastic welcome 
as you seem to think. In fact, if you will carefully 
examine the apparently generous acts of others 
and their beautifully charitable doings, you will 
generally find a sediment of selfishness at the bot- 
tom. I know of but one business in which you are 
expected to live in castles in the air, bathe in per- 
fumes, and feed on an aurora borealis — that is 
courting. Even then, if your girl has a taste for 
billing as well as cooing, I would advise you to 
become intensely practical — then go home and let 
the other fellow do the balance of the courting. 
You are too fond of riding a rainbow. Yes, I wel- 
come you to this office — your home — and I rejoice 


200 


THE WAY TO WIN 

in the gladness your coming gives, because you 
must put on the harness that has been galling me, 
and I am permitted to go forth and recline at my 
ease beneath some wide spreading beech and look 
on and criticise your work and tell you how much 
better I could do it. I shall enjoy the luxurious 
privilege. Unselfish, indeed! Pooh! 

“Now, having set you right, tell me about your 
trip. Did that innocent cherub that you call 
“uncle” really die, and did the fortune really ma- 
terialize? Have you got possession of it? When 
did you get in, and did you bring Miss Grace Rus- 
sell with you? As you are not a woman, you 
needn’t answer all these questions at once — you 
can take your time.” 

As Hamilton answered, he was still laughing 
at the distressed look assumed by the doctor when 
speaking of his trials: 

“Too much protesting on the part of the ac- 
cused always strengthens the suspicion of his guilt. 
Who ever heard of the selfish man advertising his 
selfishness; of the dishonest man proclaiming his 
dishonesty, or the heartless man fulminating his 
brutality? 

“I got here on the ten o’clock train — Miss 
Grace Russell came with me, and I delivered her 
to Miss Kate, who met us at the depot — my uncle 
is dead and buried — the fortune did materialize, 
and I have it in possession.” 

“Answered with the brevity and precision that 
always delight an honest man, but with a clearness 
that would destroy every chance of promotion in 


201 


THE WAY TO WIN 

the Cabinet, or State, or the diplomatic circle. I 
see you wear no crape on your hat for the old 
money maelstrom. Seeing this, it occurred to me 
that possibly the ferryman of the river Styx had 
refused him passage, fearing that the old cor- 
morant would have a mortgage on his boat before 
he could reach the other side.” 

“Crape, doctor, will do among women, who, as 
a rule, are tender and sentimental, and who too 
often have too little to divert the train of thought 
that leads to the grave. Men are made of sterner 
stuff, or should be, and I have never had much re- 
spect for the signals of distress that call from the 
hat to the onlooker, amid the hurly burly of active 
life, to come and view the suffering of the grief- 
stricken wearer.” 

“And yet, Hamilton, there are many who do it. 
Well, well. Dives has gone to his reward, and now 
that you are in possession of all his w’orldly goods 
that he could not ferry over the river, what do 
you Intend to do ?” 

“I shall continue to practice my profession with 
zeal and energy, as if dependent on it for a living.” 

“I am glad to see that your fortune has not 
addled your brains and that you are sensible to the 
last, as Pat’s wife said to him when he was dying 
and giving his final instructions.” 

“If the joke fits the occasion, let it come, doc- 
tor.” 

“Well, It is not a side-splitting joke, but It 
popped into my head when you said you intended 


202 


THE WAY TO WIN 

to continue in the use of your brains and be of 
some service to society. 

“When Pat was dying he called his wife to his 
bedside and said: 

“ ‘Darlint, before Oi gives up and let you have 
the wake, Oi want to tell you that Tim Murphy 
owes us a dollar, and Oi wants you to lit him have 
no rist till he pays it.’ 

“ ‘My darlint Pat, you is sensible to the last. 
You can rist aisy, my darlint, and be shore Oi’ll 
have it outen him or Oi’ll spile his mug for him.’ 

“ ‘And, darlint, we owes Moike Malony one 
dollar, and you mast be shore and pay Moike.’ 

“ ‘Oh, my darlint, my darlint, and now he’s 
outen his moind and his sinses all gone.’ ” 

“It may not be a side-splitter,” said Hamilton, 
“but it points a moral, and that is better than 
adorning a tale. But tell me about your patients, 
as I must get into your cast-off harness.” 

“7'he patients are not so many, but their ills are 
legion. I will come back in the afternoon and 
drive round with you and take my last look at their 
tongues. Now I must go to Kate, who I know is in 
a state of nervous excitement, and fire at her a few 
ironical and irritating remarks by way of a seda- 
tive. And I want to meet Miss Grace before time 
for lunch. Of all social abominations, the most 
abominable is meeting at the table for the first 
time. The man is always stupidly awkward and 
the woman is most provokingly at her ease. By 
the way, I take it for granted that she is a high- 
roosting bird, and will expect me to be all style 


THE WAY TO WIN 203 

and dignity, and smiles and affabilities, interlard- 
ing my conversation with classical allusions, scien- 
tific illustrations, and poetical quotations.” 

“You are much mistaken. She will expect no 
such rubbish. You will find her a sensible and a 
jolly girl — a girl after your own heart. You will 
find her full of fun and frolic, simple in her man- 
ners and unassuming in her deportment, thorough- 
ly educated, but never mounting her stilts or riding 
a hobby. She has blood in her veins, and the social 
position of her family has been so long and so well 
established that she never gives it a thought, be- 
cause she knows it cannot be questioned. She is 
rich without knowing it; too well educated to be 
pedantic; too refined to be aggressive, and too 
womanly to be obtrusive. You will find her simple 
and natural, whether talking to the city belle or 
the country girl, to the polished professor or to the 
untutored rustic.” 

The doctor looked at him with a smile of amuse- 
ment and said : 

“If I had known that you were so heavily loaded 
I would have been more careful in firing you off. 
You have given a partial list of her many charms, 
— of defects there are none, — and now I go to 
meet your paragon.” 

Late in the afternoon the doctor returned to 
the office, and as he saw Hamilton he called out: 

^'’Veni, vidi, vic'i, that is what Grace can say. She 
told me to call her Grace in such a sweet and child- 
like way that I cannot resist — and, varying the 
message of the cheerful Perry, I have met the ene- 


204 the way to win 

my and I am hers. By the way, in doing so, I am 
for one time in my life up to date, as variations 
seem to be the order of the day. I notice that Kate 
and her musical pals can play even Home, Sweet 
Home, with such a supply of variations that I can- 
not find anything left of the original article. Of 
course the melody of the music is destroyed, but, 
then, it is the ton — the prevailing fashion, and that 
makes it all right. I thought this morning 
that you were putting on the paint rather thick, 
but when I met her, like the Queen of Sheba, I 
found the half had not been told me. I tell you, 
old fellow, she will make the best piece of house- 
hold furniture that I have met with in a long time. 
I want you to keep that fact in your memory. After 
the girls had taken what they call their siesta, — 
our dads called it an after-dinner nap and our 
mothers never had time to take one, — they came 
down, and for about three hours we were as frolic- 
some as three playful kittens. I haven’t had such a 
good time since I was in my teens and went a pic- 
nicking, or berry-picking, or nut-hunting with my 
sweetheart. Too bad that age should put such 
luscious fruit beyond rny reach. But hurry, Hamil- 
ton, hurry. I want to quickly finish the malodorous 
business we have on hand of visiting the sick and 
get back to the refreshing fragrance awaiting me 
in Eden. Talk about your paradise I Who wants 
a paradise more charming than a beautiful, bloom- 
ing, luscious, frolicsome, mischief-making girl can 
create. It is good enough for me, if it Avould only 
last.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 205 

“Age has its advantages, Doctor, and she might 
consider it your strongest plea.” 

“What are you driving at now, Hamilton? 1 
know you have a knife up your sleeve.” 

“Naturally, it might enable her to bury her re- 
grets only the sooner. But come on — the team is 
waiting.” 


CHAPTER XIX 


About two months had passed since Grace had 
come to Denver, and the time had been spent in 
agreeable amusements and merry festivities. Inez 
had united with Kate, assisted by Ada and Sue, 
and excursions, dances, parties, entertainments, 
sociables and receptions had followed each other 
in such order as not to fully satiate, but only pleas- 
ingly gratify, the desire for pleasure. On such 
occasions Dalzell, Van Tromp and Carson were 
always to be seen, but Hamilton was seldom in 
attendance. Now and then, when his duties would 
permit, he put in an appearance. He found that 
Dalzell had become attentive to Grace, and, so 
far as he could see, she had no objection to his 
seeming preference. He was ever hovering near 
her and she always had a smile for his coming. 
Hamilton knew the parties well. He knew Dal- 
zell to be the perfect gentleman, cultured, and re- 
fined, incapable of misleading or showing a pref- 
erence that he did not feel. He knew that Grace’s 
nature was frank and open, without a tinge of co- 
quetry, and it was with secret pleasure that he saw 
their growing interest in each other. He knew 
that Dalzell was not readily susceptible and that 
he had escaped the meshes of more than one ma- 


206 


THE WAY TO WIN 207 

neuvering mamma with a willing daughter. He 
knew that Grace had received offers, ranging from 
the impecunious European count up to the New 
York eligible, but he was satisfied that none of 
these offers had touched her heart — that she was 
still heart whole. He saw that Carson continued 
to hang around Kate and still attempt the role of 
proprietorship, but there was a hidden comfort in 
his heart as he noticed her occasionally wandering 
glance around the company present, her ready 
smile of recognition to the salutation of a friend, 
and her interested tone in replying to a passing 
remark. 

The opportunity that Hamilton sought came in 
a way that he little expected, and was brought 
about by Inez, who had become his warm friend 
and partisan, and who, as elsewhere appears, had 
early suspected his secret inclinations. It occurred 
at an entertainment given by Mrs. Dalzell, when 
Inez and Hamilton, and Kate and Carson were 
standing together engaged in conversation. She 
pretended that she wanted to consult Carson about 
making up a party for an excursion to Colorado 
Springs, and asked him to go with her to the li- 
brary and assist her in preparing the list. If Car- 
son was anything, he was outwardly polite, and of 
course he went. 

Returning after a time, Kate was nowhere to be 
seen, having gone out, at Hamilton’s request, to 
view the lawn by moonlight. They found a rustic 
seat in a quiet and retired corner of the lawn, and 
for a time they talked upon general and indiffer- 


2o8 the way to win 

ent subjects. They were tracing the constellations, 
when Hamilton suddenly exclaimed: 

“Who says that all that multitudinous host came 
by chance?” 

“Only the fool has said in his heart there is no 
God,” answered Kate. 

“Of the leaves that bedeck the forest,” con- 
tinued Hamilton, “no two are alike; of the flowers 
that bedeck the hills and the fields, the dales and 
the valleys, no two are alike, and of the millions 
of men that throng the earth, no two are alike. No 
sane mind, it seems to me, can consider all this won- 
derful mechanism the result of mere chance, for it 
must, to the thinking mind, point unerringly to a 
mighty Designer who is as infinite In His resources 
as He is Infinite In His wisdom. Is each one of 
that starry host alive with the creatures of the 
Great Designer’s handiwork? It must be so, in 
one form or another, for such wisdom cannot run 
to waste. Were they put there merely to gladden 
the view from this rolling mote of ours? Certainly 
not, for the telescope tells us of millions and mil- 
lions that lie beyond human vision, and as the mag- 
nifying power grows and stretches farther and 
farther into the unfathomed abyss of space, other 
millions will unfold themselves. All immensity 
must be teeming with floating, shining orbs — and 
system after system and system upon system that 
light the vast and unknown void — all, the learned 
tell us, are sweeping in century flights, to the har- 
monious music of the spheres, around a central 
point somewhere in the mighty beyond. There, in 


THE WAY TO WIN 209 

imagination, I caii see the Great Designer sitting 
on His throne, viewing the wondrous whole, di- 
recting the workmanship of his hands and guiding 
orb after orb into the haven of eternity, when each 
shall have accomplished the purpose of its creation 
and when time shall be no more.” 

“And yet,” said Kate, “there are people who 
would have us believe that all these wonders of 
which you have just spoken, and the laws control- 
ling and governing them, are the creatures of 
chance — all a mere accident, so to speak.” 

“They tell you so in moments of egotistical de- 
lirium, but in their sober moments they neither be- 
lieve it themselves, nor do they expect you to be- 
lieve it. Chance is the creation of man and acci- 
dent the fruit of his blunders — a pleasant fruit on 
occasion, since it was an accident that brought you 
and me together, and I thank you for making ref- 
erence to it on the night I left for New York.” 

“Why should you thank me ?” 

“Because it breaks the seal of silence. Do you 
know that I have never ceased to admire the nerve 
you showed on that occasion?” 

“How so? I am not sure I understand you.” 

“In submitting yourself to a stranger and to the 
care of a surgeon of whose skill you knew noth- 
ing.” 

“Your conduct was that of a gentleman, and I 
had your word for your skill.” 

“Yes, but I was a stranger to you, and therein 
you showed your nerve.” 

“You give me credit for nerve at the expense of 


210 


THE WAY TO WIN 

prudence and common sense — an equivocal com- 
pliment to say the least.” 

“Knowing that I could do all I professed, I con- 
fess I never looked at the matter in that light.” 

“Rather than have you look at it in that light, I 
must tell you that I knew Dr. Jack Hamilton.” 

“Impossible! How could you? We had never 
met.” 

“As you know, Grace was my room-mate and 
class-mate at Vassar. Before the eventful day — 
commonly called commencement day — one month 
is given to the graduating class to rest and make 
such preparations as each member may think essen- 
tial to a proper display of her charms on that occa- 
sion. I spent the month with Grace in New York. 
During the month, Helen, Grace’s sister and now 
Mrs. Schuyler, gave a musicale to which you and 
others were invited. Grace and I, not having 
gone through the miserable ordeal of a debut, 
belonged to the bread and butter class and we 
were remanded to the nursery. We were not 
permitted to enter the forbidden grounds, and, 
like most children, we spent the time in peeping. 
Of course I saw you and heard your barrytone 
singing which secured you an encore. In response 
you gave them Annie Laurie. So you see I knew 
what I was doing when, on the night of your first 
reception at my home, I assertively said you could 
sing and asked you to join me at the piano. Do 
you remember that I responded to the call with 
Annie Laurie?” 


THE WAY TO WIN 21 1 

“Yes, I remember, but I did not suspect the rea- 
son.” 

“After I graduated and came home, I heard 
of you, now and then, through Grace, and among 
other things I heard that you had quite a reputa- 
tion as a surgeon — when you could be persuaded 
to work.” 

“After all you say, I cannot see how you identi- 
fied the stranger as Dr. Jack Hamilton.” 

“Well, when I recovered from the shock of the 
railroad wreck you were bending over the couch 
and watching me. Of course I recognized you as 
the man who had so cleverly managed the old 
clown on the train when he wanted to keep the 
window up and let the dust and cinders pour into 
the coach. But, like a flash, it came to me that I 
had elsewhere seen that face. There is an old 
maxim, all things come to them who wait. I would 
improve on that by saying, all things come to them 
who investigate. Finding that I was in possession 
of my senses, you quickly satisfied yourself as to 
my condition — gave some instructions to Mrs. 
Jones and left the room. When you had gone, I 
questioned her, and found that she neither knew 
you nor had she learned your name. She gave 
me some details in connection with the wreck, and 
in the course of her flow of words she happened 
to mention that your trunk was in the hall of the 
house. I told her to go out and see if she could 
find a name on the trunk. She did so, and re- 
ported — ‘Dr. Jack Hamilton, New York.’ The 
name brought to memory the night of the musicale 


212 


THE WAY TO WIN 

at the home of General Russell, where I saw you 
and heard you sing — as I have already told you. 
So, as Uncle Gus would say — there you were and 
here you are.” 

“Still, you took the risk that there might be two 
of the same name and profession.” 

“No risk about it. You forget that I saw you 
at General Russell’s and that I have just said that 
when I waked up and found you bending over me, 
that there was something familiar about your 
face.” 

“Well, we will waive the question of nerve,” 
said Hamilton, laughing, “and I will concede that 
any one who submits to my care and management 
shows both prudence and common sense. Is that 
satisfactory.” 

“Quite so, but I cannot see that your premises 
warrant your conclusion. I will concede, however, 
that your conclusion is based on an abundant sup- 
ply of self-confidence.” 

“Thank you. I suppose you know that self-con- 
fidence is one of the basic essentials to success. A 
man without it is always certain to fill an inferior 
station. Hence, it is not at all unusual to see me- 
diocrity in high places and the truly intellectual far 
below, for the general public too often accepts a 
man at his own valuation. If you will look into 
the history of the men who have played a conspicu- 
ous part on the stage of life you will find they were 
self-confident and self-reliant. They went to the 
goal while the doubting and diffident stood hesi- 
tating at the starting post.” He then added good- 


THE WAY TO WIN 213 

humoredly, “I suppose you think my chances of 
success may be classed among the best.” 

“Don’t forget that you said that — not I,” re- 
plied Kate in the same humorous vein. 

“But, going back to the wreck,” said Hamilton, 
“why Is it in all our pleasant social life you have 
made no reference to it, and how comes it that 
neither your father nor Dr. Blake has spoken of 
it? I have been much troubled at times, lest I 
unthinkingly did something objectionable in your 
opinion and which you are not disposed to forget.” 

“Nothing of the kind. Your conduct on that oc- 
casion was most courteous and gentlemanly and 
all that the most sensitive and refined person could 
have asked. As to my conduct at the time, I fear 
the only refuge left me is that of woman’s whim, 
which, as you know, is beyond explanation — an in- 
excusable excuse. I looked upon you as merely 
passing through this section of the country and I 
had no thought of ever meeting you again. My 
fatal blunder was in not greeting you as sufferer 
and surgeon when I met you at the theater. Since 
then I hav^e been eagerly anxious to make the 
amende honorable, as you men say, and tell you 
how deeply my behavior has humiliated me, 
and tender you my heartfelt apology. Father 
hasn’t the slightest suspicion that you are the sur- 
geon of the wreck, and I never told Uncle Gus 
until after you had gone to New York. Their ex- 
cuses are good.” 

“You never told them; — and yet, it is said, a 
woman cannot keep a secret.” 


214 the way to win 

“That is only one of many slanders that we 
women have to bear from cynical bachelors. I 
know women, and not a few, to whom that slan- 
der can have no application. So far as I am con- 
cerned, I somewhere read that only the fool could 
expect the breast of another to keep the secret 
which his own breast could not keep — I have prof- 
ited by it.” 

“I suppose Dr. Blake was much surprised when 
he heard the facts, and thought, perhaps, that I 
ought to have told him.” 

“Surprise is not the word for his burst of indig- 
nation. However, he held you blameless, saying 
it was impossible for you, as a gentleman, to speak 
of it until I gave you permission by first speaking 
of it myself. But he abused me and lashed me 
with his tongue until he actually made me cry. 
Then he abused himself for not having recognized 
your work. Having abused himself to his heart’s 
content, he turned on me and was about to con- 
vert himself into a kicking machine, when he be- 
thought himself of the great respect he has for the 
clothes I wear, and — desisted.” 

Hamilton laughed as he said: “I can see him 
now, swelling with apparent indignation and 
stormily threatening, as if he were a cyclone of 
destruction. He is always bubbling over with af- 
fection for you, and his tenderness is sometimes 
touching.” 

“I can give you the secret of it in part, only you 
must not forget that it is a family secret. He was 
engaged to be married to my father’s only sister 


THE WAY TO WLN 215 

and she died a few days before the nuptials were to 
take place. She was in her twentieth year when 
she died, and I never saw her, but I was named for 
her, and I am said to be very like her in character 
and in person. When he came to live with us he 
asked me to call him Uncle Gus. I have always 
done as he requested and I dearly love him, but I 
sometimes think he loves me more for what he 
sees of the past reappearing in me than for my- 
self.” • ^ 

“I am glad,” said Hamilton, “that you have told 
me this family secret, for it enables me the better 
to understand the gentleness of his character, and 
the knowledge will prevent me, even in jest, from 
making intimations that might give pain to a heart 
that is wearing a sorrow’s crown of sorrow.” 

“I understand you. You need not hesitate to 
joke him, for he enjoys it to the full, and he knows 
how to grow old gracefully — a rare gift. And, 
then, I suppose it is pleasant to feel that others 
think you could if you would. Of all sad lots that 
befall us in this life, the saddest, it seems to me, is 
to realize that the opinion of others retires you 
from the activities of life, that nothing is left for 
you but to sit down and await the coming of death. 
I can think of no greater cruelty that could be in- 
flicted on the old- We ought to make them happy 
while we can, and make sunshine around and about 
them till death comes to claim them — it will not be 
long. 

“But there is nothing stagnant about Uncle Gus. 
He will never grow old. His is a fortunate dispo- 


21 6 THE WAY TO WIN 

sitlon. He is full of fun — he must have his jokes; 
he keeps pace with and takes an interest in every 
passing thing. He will die young should he reach 
an hundred years.” 

“Sorrows soften,” said Hamilton, “and the 
shadows of life are sent that we may more fully 
appreciate the sunshine when it comes. Our con- 
versation has dispelled the shadows that hung 
around the railroad wreck. We understand each 
other now and — all’s well that ends well.” 

“But the end is not yet, my surgeon,” said Kate, 
good humoredly. “I am your debtor. Send in 
your bill and I will see that you get the reward of 
your services.” 

Hamilton hesitated for several minutes and then 
said : 

“Miss Kate, I have no bill for services rendered 
at the railroad wreck. But I lost something on 
that occasion which you still have in your posses- 
sion and keeping. I do not ask you to return it, 
for you could not if you would. I only beg that 
you will consider my loss and that you will enter- 
tain the thought of replacing it in kind.” Elis voice 
was low and tense and laden with magnetic 
earnestness. 

“Here comes Inez,” exclaimed Kate, springing 
to her feet, “and I know she is looking for me.” 

The interruption did not put Hamilton in a 
frame of mine! suitable for a Sunday-school ad- 
dress. He kept his seat until Inez was only a few 
feet away, and then rose to receive her. Coming 
up, Inez said: 


THE WAY TO WIN 217 

“Kate, mother is searching for you and says she 
must see you before serving the refreshments. 
You will find her on the back porch waiting for 
you.” 

As Kate walked away, Inez turned to Hamilton 
and said : 

“Doctor Hamilton, you may have read or heard, 
I know your mother told you, that we must return 
good for evil. So I shall expect you to be very 
attentive to me and entertaining as we stroll to the 
front gallery.” 

When they reached the stoop, Hamilton found 
his office boy waiting for him with a note. The 
note was as follows: 

“Dear Jack: 

Got here on the evening train — went to ho- 
tel — satisfied the inner man — came to your rooms 
— found you absent — took possession — office boy 
indignant — said something about calling the po- 
lice — a tip wreathed his face with smiles and sat- 
isfied him of my rights — I forgave him. In a little 
while an old party came In — -had seen him at the 
hotel — evidently a stranger — said he was on his 
way to Manitou — wherever that Is — was a great 
sufferer — had been advised to consult Dr. Elamil- 
ton. I saw my chance — there is a tide — clothed 
myself with Hamiltonian dignity — called up a far- 
away prophetic look of Inspired wisdom — listened 
to a long tale about awful pains — a plain case of 
cystitis — prescribed — pocketed a fee of twenty 
dollars — old party went on his way rejoicing — 
partnership opens auspiciously. Don’t let this 


2i8 


' THE WAY TO WIN 

note disturb you in your love-making — take your 
time — you run the business at that end of the line 
and I will run it at this end — you may get killed 
at that end — I may kill the other fellow at this 
end — we all have to learn — will know better next 
time. Yours at this end of the line. 

Inez had waited while he read, and seeing the 
smile on his face as he finished reading, she said: 

“Now you are yourself again. That note must 
bring pleasant tidings.” 

“They are most pleasant, and I intend that you 
and the writer shall become friends — I will let you 
read the note.” 

He handed the note to her. She read it and re- 
turned it to him laughing, and saying: 

in parvo. The writer must be some- 
thing of an original. I have heard Grace speak 
of him and, from what she says, he must be a most 
delightful companion. But what jargon you doc- 
tors do use. Now I haven’t the slightest idea what 
ails the old party, as the writer calls him. It may 
be something loaded with death or it may be only 
a pimple on his nose.” 

Hamilton was much amused at her criticism, 
and said: 

“When you are the wife of a doctor I know he 
will take great pleasure in familiarizing you with 
the jargon of the profession. And now I must 
say good night. Please say good night to your 
mother for me and couple it with my regrets at 
leaving so early.” 


219 


THE WAY TO WIN 

“Shall I say the same to Kate for you?” 

“To her it will be unexpected. You can do as 
you please.” 

Inez looked after him as he went through the 
lawn, and said: 

“What idiots some men can make of them- 
selves.” 


CHAPTER XX 


Hamilton declined to make one of the Colorado 
Springs party. The seeming eagerness of Kate to 
meet Inez on the night of the Dalzell entertain- 
ment had given him quite a shock. As in duty 
bound, he went with Livingstone to the Somers 
home, but he was careful to leave Livingstone to 
be entertained by Kate, while he directed his con- 
versation to Grace. Kate was cordial and pleas- 
ant, and tried, more than once, to make the con- 
versation general, but without success. She found 
Achilles sulking in his tent and she was forced to 
let him alone. When he w^as taking his leave the 
girls united in begging him to join the Springs 
party — Kate suggesting, in a humorous way, that 
an outing might dispel the gloom of his bachelor 
rooms. 

He was not responsive, however, and firmly but 
courteously declined, saying that Livingstone and 
he had too much business for either of them to 
leave the city. 

When left to themselves, Grace turned to Kate 
and asked: 

“Kate, what is the matter with Dr. Hamilton?” 

^^Cara Mia, what a very foolish question ! How 
should I know? He may have lost a night’s sleep 

220 


221 


THE WAY TO WIN 

or he may be suffering from an attack of Indiges- 
tion.” 

“No such thing! I hav^en’t seen him since the 
night at the Dalzells, when he was not disposed to 
talk to anybody but you. To-night he prefers to 
talk even to me — to anybody — rather than to you, 
and I know something must have gone wrong be- 
tween you two. Kate, you are not my old room- 
mate if you don’t tell me, after I have come more 
than a thousand miles to show how much I love 
you.” 

“Really, Grace, I have done nothing to bring 
about an estrangement between Dr. Hamilton and 
myself.” 

“I don’t know what you have done, Kate, but the 
estrangement has come and you know the cause. 
So out with It, for I intend to know. And, just to 
think, I have been telling you all about Mr. Dalzell 
and myself because I love you and because I 
thought you had no secrets from me. Kate dear, 
if you love me you will tell me.” 

“Oh, you would not have been so free with your 
affair only you had to make inquiries to gather 
certain information that you wanted about Mr. 
Dalzell. Love me, indeed! Necessity made you 
communicative.” 

“No such thing, you piece of perversity. After 
I had been here a month I knew all about Mr. Dal- 
zell, or as much as there was any necessity of know- 
ing, and It is only since that time, that I have had 
any secrets to communicate. You had just as well 


222 


THE WAY TO WIN 

begin, Kate, for I intend, sooner or later, to have 
it out of you — the sooner the less trouble.” 

‘‘Well, if I must, I must. So here goes with the 
little that I know — you will be surprised that there 
is so little of it.” 

Kate then told her everything that had taken 
place on the lawn the night of the Dalzell party. 
When she had finished, Grace laughed and laughed 
again. 

After looking at Kate in a quizzical way, she ex- 
claimed : 

‘‘Was there ever such a pair of simple simple- 
tons! Why, Kate, he was feeling his way by 
means of an indirect proposal to a direct proposal. 
He had given you his heart and was asking for 
yours.” 

‘‘Oh, yes, I understood all of that well enough, 
and I thought I knew what was coming. But, you 
see, Grace, I didn’t feel that I was exactly ready 
for it, and the appearance of Inez just at that time 
was most opportune and a great relief to me.” 

“What do you mean by not being exactly 
ready?” said Grace, still laughing. 

“Well, I don’t suppose any woman ever was in 
just such a fix. I knew I was not willing to say no, 
and I did not feel that I w^as willing to say yes” 
was Kate’s rather doleful answer. 

“Had he given you no intimation? Did he take 
you by surprise? I never suspected that he is a 
man for forced marches in love affairs.” 

“He had given some intimations that led to that 
line of thought.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 223 

“You have had other lovers and you have had 
other men to address you, I think?’’ 

“Yes, you know I have. But, Grace, somehow, 
or in some way, this was so different. The fact is, 
Grace, I became confused, and I may have shown 
a too willing greeting to Inez.” 

“Yes,’ said Grace, still laughing, “this time was 
different from the other times. You were inter- 
ested this time, and that made the difference. It 
was the same old story that Adam whispered in 
the ear of mother Eve, — the lingering benediction 
that has come down to us from the Garden of 
God’s planting, — which has been told and retold 
through all the centuries, which only grows the 
fresher and the sweeter for the telling, converting 
the heart into a blissful Eden and all the world, for 
the time being, into a blooming paradise. It was, 
however, your apparently too willing welcome to 
Inez that wounded him. He thought it showed a 
desire on your part to avoid all further conversa- 
tion on the momentous question. And, yet, I don’t 
see how you could have done otherwise, only you 
need not have been quite so demonstrative, and he 
ought to know that the presence of Inez must have 
put a stop to his heart’s unfolding. He hasn’t 
properly weighed the fearful effect produced by the 
presence of the terrible third on such occasions — a 
snow plunge is a hot bath when compared with the 
polar third. 

“Of all the fools, the biggest and most sensitive 
fool is the strong, brainy man when entangled in 
Love’s meshes. He quickly goes to pieces and 


224 the way to win 

flounders on to the end. It Is the shallow-pated 
society swell that goes through with colors flying, 
with all the ease and grace of a gull skimming the 
waters. Every woman Is a new revelation to the 
busy, brainy man, and he will never learn that they 
are all just about alike — that when a woman in- 
tends to say no she never gets excited; that she 
never gets confused when she Is indifferent, and 
that confusion and excitement are evidences of In- 
terest. Well, we are told that Cupid Is a boy, and 
I suppose It would be unseemly for the Leviathan 
to join In the sports of this mischief-maker. Well, 
dearie, whether you know It or not, you are In love 
with Dr. Hamilton, and you are going to marry 
him, just as I am in love with Mr. Dalzell and In- 
tend to marry him. We are all going to live here 
In Denver and you and I are going to be as happy 
and as jolly and as frolicsome as we were in the 
days of our girlhood. I Intend to lend a helping 
hand to your affairs and it will not be long before 
1 straighten out the kinks.” 

“No,” said Kate, “you must do nothing of the 
kind. You must let things drift along and take 
their own course ” 

“Certainly I will, you ninny, only I shall direct 
the currents and have them drift my way. It Is 
woman’s art to do that and never be suspected. To 
appear artless Is the perfection of art, and that is 
woman’s special sphere.” 

Livingstone, in company with Llamllton, had 
called upon the Dalzells, and soon found himself 
launched upon the sea of society. He was sur- 


THE WAY TO WIN 225 

prised and delighted, and, talking with Hamilton, 
said: 

“Why didn’t you tell me about the splendid 
women you have out here in the West? I have 
never found more of beauty, or more of culture, 
or more of refinement in the Paris salon, the Eng- 
lish drawing-room, or the American parlor than I 
find here.” 

“And why not?” asked Hamilton. “They have 
every advantage that money and schooling and 
traveling can give, and many of them can trace 
themselves back to the best blood in this or any 
other country. Further, since the days of Troy, I 
have never heard of any place that had a monopoly 
of beauty.” 

“I hardly know why not,” answered Living- 
stone, “only in the East we are inclined to attach 
crudeness and rusticity to everything in the West.” 

“Yes, I was once afflicted with that provincial 
disease. But tell me, Sid, which one of these beau- 
tiful and attractive girls most impresses you?” 

“Well, I nev'er knowingly poach upon another 
man’s preserves, so we will say nothing about Miss 
Kate” — here Hamilton protested, but Livingstone 
went on as if he had not heard him. “Miss Ada 
is such a piquant, tantalizing little magnet that I 
sometimes hardly know whether it is best to fall 
in love with her or to avoid her. Miss Sue is a 
little too self-possessed and argumentative for 
me — she ought to marry a college professor.” 

“And what about Miss Inez?” 

“Well, Jack, she is a very charming woman. 


226 THE WAY TO WIN 

and the more I see of her the more her charms 
grow upon me. I am not sure but that she is the 
most brilliant woman that I ever met.” 

“You must be careful in that quarter, Sid, for 
she has the blood of the Spanish grandee in her 
veins, and you know that will not admit of trifling.” 

“Pshaw! A man can permit himself to bask 
in her smiles and enjoy her conversational corrus- 
cations without being accused of trying to trifle 
with her. As our old friend Horace would say, 
Carpe diem; and I can follow his philosophy if I 
am dense to his lyrical flow.” 

“Our old friend Horace also said Festina lente, 
and, as I just now intimated, she is to be captured 
by siege rather than by escalade.” 

“Who is thinking of capturing! I am only en- 
joying the present. The notes of the singing bird 
are sweeter when floating from the tree tops than 
they are when coming from the cage.” 


CHAPTER XXI 


In correspondence with Hamilton before Liv- 
ingstone came to Dernier an agreement had been 
reached to build a private hospital. They had 
ample means and determined that it should be as 
complete as money could make it, with all modern 
advantages and the most perfect appointments. 
Subject to Livingstone’s approval, when he came, 
Hamilton had selected an elevated site in the sub- 
urbs of the city. From this site there was a mag- 
nificent stretch of hill and dale, of valley and 
mountain, spreading to the view. Plans for the 
building had been agreed upon, and their profes- 
sional duties, coupled with the pushing of the en- 
terprise, left them with little leisure for social 
pleasures. 

In the meantime, the party for the Springs had 
materialized, and had gone. What this party saw, 
or heard, or did, is unknown, except so much as 
Grace told in a letter which she wrote to her 
sister, Helen, and which she read to Hamilton and 
Livingstone before sending it. 

“Dear Helen: 

“We have just returned from Colorado 
Springs and the country lying around and about. 
By we, I mean Kate and myself, Messrs. Dalzell 


227 


22 8 THE WAY TO WIN 

and Carson. We have returned a little sun-stained, 
but overflowing with health and vigor. We spent 
two weeks in the midst of the grandest scenic pano- 
rama to be found in the world. Do you ask me for 
a description? It cannot be given. Can words 
convey the thrill or the melody of the music, or 
language the sweetness or the inspiration of the 
song? You may say here is the billowy hill and 
there the verdant dale — here is the silvery cascade 
and there the deepening gorge — here is the leap- 
ing cataract and there the mighty canon — all these 
you may try to picture on the tablets of the mind, 
but you are not conscious of the grandeur that in- 
toxicates the brain — you cannot feel the sublimity 
that elevates the soul and enables it to escape 
from its prison walls and go out and mingle with 
the grand panoramic vision. Can you catch the 
perfume from the description of the flower? Can 
you realize the battle from a picture of the field? 
Where is the scream of the fife and the roll of the 
drum — the call of the clarion and the blast of the 
bugle — the sheen of the uniform and the glitter of 
the bayonet — the rifle’s volley and the cannon’s 
thunder — the long lines swinging into battle’s mag- 
nificent array? But you are laughing at me. She is 
enthused, you say. Well, I will dismount from 
my Pegasus and be practical — that’s my forte, you 
know. But you have my idea — description fails. 
You must come and see, and the scene will linger 
with you ever after — a cherished and a living 
memory. 

“Colorado is a wonderful State and a State of 


THE WAY TO WIN 229 

wonders. It is as large as all New England, with 
New York thrown in for good measure, and more 
than half of all this domain is filled with mountains 
that pile themselves up against the sky. It must 
have been the home of the Titans in the long ago. 
As you know, we are indebted to the Spaniards for 
the name, and it means — red. I never suspected 
the reason until I came here and looked upon the 
rocks which are red — when they are not gray. 
Standing in the depths of some of the canons and 
looking up, you will see its rock walls of a dull, 
rich red color — like to that you sometimes see in 
the stained glass in cathedral windows. The spires 
that you see in the Garden of the Gods are red, 
and so are the giant pillars of its gateway as you 
go out to the plain. Here I am in medias res, as 
if I were following the advice of Horace. 

“I will go back and begin at the beginning. 
Colorado Springs is situated about sixty miles to the 
south of Denver and easily accessible. It is a city 
of some thirty thousand people, a summer resort, 
and nestles near the base of Pike’s Peak in the 
midstof beauty andgrandeur. It is a beautiful city — 
well shaded, and may be regarded as a sort of port 
of entry to the celebrated Manitou Springs. You 
can see one place from the other across a plain of 
about four miles in extent. You find first-class 
hotels and boarding-houses, and roads, and trolley 
lines, and magnificent drives to your heart’s con- 
tent. Manitou cannot be excelled as a watering 
place. It is situate in a V-shaped notch, just where 
the plain (mesa) ends and the mountain begins. 


230 THE WAY TO WIN 

There are nine springs — all cold mineral water. 
Four of them are soda springs or effervescent. 
The water of these springs might be mistaken for 
Apollinaris water, and I am surprised that some 
enterprising Yankee is not in possession, bottling 
the water and selling it as Apollinaris. The re- 
maining springs have iron in them and are known 
as the iron springs. 

“To the south of Manitou are two canons, 
known as North and South Cheyenne canons. In 
the latter is a famous cascade that falls five hun- 
dred feet in seven leaps. Its beauties are inde- 
scribable. Looking down into the depths of the 
canon, it would seem as if you might hold con- 
verse with the Chinaman on the other side. I also 
visited the other canon, and it was here that I 
joined the donkey brigade; that is, I rode a don- 
key, here and there, to various scenic points hid- 
den among the pines. There was a goodly num- 
ber of us — all mounted on donkeys. We were a 
jolly, joking, jesting party and fun was the order 
of the donkey brigade. You never get tired, or if 
you do you never know it, and lassitude is un- 
known. The tonic of the atmosphere has much 
the same effect as old wine. Not far from Mani- 
tou is the Garden of the Gods, with its towering 
pillars of obelisk form carved out by the winds 
of the centuries. At the gateway of the Garden, 
on either side, perpendicular red columns rise some 
three hundred feet above the mesa or plain. Of 
the beauty of the place and its surroundings, you 
can have no conception — you must come and see 


THE WAY TO WIN 231 

for yourself. But I cannot go into particulars, for 
I have neither time nor strength. Near at hand 
you will find Crystal Park, Red Canon, Cave of the 
Winds, and many other surprises and wonders. 
Besides these, the whole country is sprinkled with 
nooks and corners, cascades and waterfalls, caves 
and dale-dots of great beauty and absorbing in- 
terest — the homes of Cupids and fairies, and of 
sprites and elves. But for the ocean voyage, it is 
folly to cross the continent for scenery. I have 
seen all that there is to be seen, and I tell you that 
in all Europe there is nothing that can surpass the 
beauty and grandeur that enwraps this country. 

“During the two weeks of sight-seeing we went 
to the summit of Pike’s Peak. It is a thrilling but 
delightful trip, and here we put in the days of 
greatest interest. The peak dominates everything 
with its silent, quiet majesty. A few years ago it 
was dangerous and almost impossible to reach the 
top of this massive monster, but now you can go all 
the way by rail. Think of it! A railroad climb- 
ing to the height of more than fourteen thousand 
feet up a mountain! It is an engineering feat 
rivaling that of the pyramids, and would have been 
laughed at by the old engineer. It is known as the 
Cog Road, peculiarly built, costly, but safe as any 
road running on the plains. I am told that the 
road is so constructed that the train can be stopped 
in a space of twelve inches. 

“As the train goes crawling up along the moun- 
tain, from, one sicle of the coach you can look down 
into immeasurable depths, and far below you may 


232 THE WAY TO WIN 

see something that looks like the delicate tracery 
of lace-work — all torn and tangled, sinking and 
swelling, among the distant tops of the far-away 
pines. Helen, it is the heavenward side of a 
tinted cloud with its sunlit face, h'rom the oppo- 
site window you can look up fo seemingly immeas- 
urable heights, as you go climbing and winding 
around the supports to the skies. If the foolish 
people of the genetic biblical days had only come 
here they would have found the tower already 
built, and we would have been spared the confu- 
sion of tongues and the dull drudgery of studying 
them. It would hav^e been such a relief I But here 
we are at the Summit House on the top of the 
Peak, and we find all the comforts that the weary 
traveler can desire. 

“I have also visited the celebrated Loop, consid- 
ered by many the enginering feat of the age. It is 
only a day’s journey from Denver, and to make it 
you must go through Clear Creek Canon — a place 
of renown. Leaving Denver, you come to a place 
called Golden, a rugged mountain town. Soon 
after you leave this place you come to a surprising 
contrast — a prairie country and almost perfectly 
level, supposed to have been the bottom of a great 
lake or sp in the ages that are gone. Crossing 
this prairie land, you rush unexpectedly into Clear 
Creek Canon, which opens on the plain. The walls 
of this canon are red, and here and there they come 
so near together that, in looking upward, vou can 
see only a ribbon of light hundreds of feet above. 
It takes about two hours to pass through these tow- 


THE WAY TO WIN 233 

ering walls. At length you come to Idaho Springs, 
almost as celebrated as those of Manitou. You 
next come to Georgetown — another mining town 
— and beyond Georgetown is the famous Loop. 
You may talk about your shoes, horse shoes, mule 
shoes, or any other kind of shoes — about your 
curves and your angles, but none of them can equal 
the Loop. Its intricacies and windings are beyond 
the imagination of the old engineer. It doubles 
and it curves, and it twists and it coils, as it climbs 
the mountain. You can look from the window of 
your coach and see five tracks, like so many glit- 
tering snakes twining and coiling about the moun- 
tain, all below you and over which you have just 
passed. This engineering wonder is at a height of 
ten thousand feet. I know nothing about engineer- 
ing and care less, and I only went because every- 
body in Denver asks, ‘Have you seen the Loop?’ 
and if you haven’t been to see the Loop you are a 
back number. 

“Well, I shall stop sight-telling, for I am con- 
scious that I fail in the telling; but when I get home 
I shall sketch a few pictures for you that will 
quicken your curiosity and awaken a desire to come 
and see the originals for yourself. 

“Now for some private matters that we can 
both understand.” 

“The impersonal,” said Hamilton, “has been 
very interesting, and I have no doubt that the per- 
sonal will be more so. Go on — we promise not to 
tell.” 

“Don’t imagine for a moment, my dear Doctor, 


234 the way to win 

that I have been reading for your entertainment. 
Of course it is a matter of moonshine to you. We 
tried to get you to go with us, but because of some 
fancied feeling no scenic prospect or promise of 
pleasure could tempt you from your tent, where, 
like a bear with a sore head, you preferred to re- 
main and growl and sulk and suck your paws. 1 
did think, however, that my old friend. Dr. Liv- 
ingstone, would appreciate it and have a word of 
comment — but he is dumb.” 

‘‘I was only waiting,” said Livingstone, “to get 
my breath which your mellifluous words in depict- 
ing the grand scenery had — ” 

“Come, my friend,” interrupted Grace, “you 
had better lower your flight or, like Icarus, your 
classic predecessor, you will find your waxen wings 
melting, and instead of falling into the Aegean you 
will go tumbling into a sea of bathos. Trying to 
begin at the top has been the downfall of many a 
man.” 

Livingstone laughed and Hamilton put in: 

“I fear my going would not have added to the 
pleasure of the party. I would have been an odd 
number, and number three is always in the way.” 

“I will not assert that you would have added to 
the pleasure of the party, for that depends upon 
how far one can forget himself in a desire to please 
others. Selfishness is Argus-eyed and the all-con- 
quering enemy, not only of pleasure, but even of 
comfort. But I will assert that, in all probability, 
the party would have added to your pleasure. 
There is nothing like mingling with others to rid 


THE WAY TO WIN 235 

ourselves of fancied ghosts, and I thought you 
knew, since the days when you fondled your Ho- 
mer, that sulking does not lead to victory.” 

“Miss Grace, you will have to make your mean- 
ing plainer If I am to understand you. You are 
talking in enigmas and I never solved one in all 
my life.” 

“As I am not good at making them, we will drop 
the subject. I am sorry, however, that you did not 
go with us, and I know that you would have en- 
joyed yourself, for It was a free and easy party 
and everything was communistic. You would not 
have been the horrible third that you Imagine. 
Suppose, for instance, — it Is only a supposition, 
you know, — that Mr. Dalzell and I had found 
ourselves In some quiet, cozy corner, and that he 
was whispering sweet somethings, or sweet noth- 
ings, In my ear and you had made your appearance, 
I can assure you I would have met you with a ready 
greeting. My welcome would have been diplo- 
matic, if not genuine, and its heartiness would have 
given no offense to Mr. Dalzell, because his com- 
mon sense would have told him that his sweet say- 
ings must end with your presence; and, further, 
that he would soon have time and opportunity to 
try the bon-bon business again if he desired.” She 
hesitated a little and then added, “Hector, you 
know, was formidable only in the absence of 
Achilles.” 

Hamilton looked searchingly at her and re- 
marked : 


236 THE WAY TO WIN 

“I think I read your riddle and at some time I 
will give you the answer.” 

“Don’t forget that I am going home next week.” 

Livingstone began to laugh and said: 

“I admit that I am not able to unriddle the 
riddle, but I do believe that Aurora is beginning 
to fleck the east with her tints and that I have be- 
come the horrible third.” 

Kate, coming in just at this time, Hamilton re- 
marked, as if pursuing a previous conversation: 

“Miss Grace, you have been telling us about 
your mountain scenery and your canons with their 
cathedral tinted walls, your dashing cascades and 
your leaping cataracts, but you have not told us 
anything of your companionship — not a single bon 
mot, or brilliant pun, or bright saying on the part 
of the men, or the sparkling wit of the women in 
repartee. I know at times the air must have been 
full of shooting stars and glowing meteors. Come, 
tell us something about these.” 

With one corner of her eye on Hamilton, Grace 
demurely answered: 

“About the only thing worthy of remark was 
Mr. Carson’s aggressive attentions to Kate.” 

Kate retorted, and the girls began good humor- 
edly and teasingly to tell on each other. The men 
were much amused, and the conversation soon 
broadened out into general entertainment. In this 
vein it continued to flow until it was interrupted 
by Dr. Blake, who came in laughing, saying: 

“Here, let me relieve you sanitarians from the 
drowsy wit of these feminine feather-weights. You 


THE WAY TO WIN 237 

know Tim Murphy, Hamilton? Tim is an athlete 
and handy with his fists. As I was coming 
home along Senate street I heard a voice ahead of 
me that I thought I knew. Quickening my step, I 
soon came up to the owner, and found Tim buck- 
ing and fighting with two of his fellow-countrymen 
in the good old Irish way. Of course the police 
were somewhere else, deaf to all noise and buried 
in the contemplation of their own greatness. As I 
came up, Tim sent his left into the face of one of 
them and his head into the stomach of the other. 
It was done so quick that it seemed a single move- 
ment. The work was effective — both the men 
went down. As I came on deck, the fellows were 
scrambling for their feet, and I shouted for the 
police. They seemed to know what feet were made 
for, and in a twinkling they were out of sight. I 
turned to congratulate Tim on his work, and found 
that he w^as equally well informed — he had disap- 
peared. As I came home I was thinking over the 
affray, and it brought to mind a city of some com- 
mercial importance and caused me to laugh as I 
came up the stoop. The question is, what is the 
name of the city suggested by the affray? Every- 
body give it up? What city could it suggest but 
Tim-buc-too ?” 

‘Timbuctoo?” said Grace; “why, it is an African 
town of no import, and you spoke of it as a city 
of commercial importance.” 

“I shall not join issue with you on the import 
question ; it was the export side of the question that 
I was considering.” 


238 THE WAY TO WIN 

Livingstone laughed, and said : 

“He brightens with friction. Rub him again.’’ 

“I believe he is drawing on his imagination. Tell 
me of its exports?” 

“Gold, of which you stand in no need; salt, of 
which you have an abundance, and gum, of which 
you never had enough.” 

“You are mistaken — I have always eschewed 
gum. Well, of all the preposterous efforts at wit, 
this of yours rather excels.” 

“Oh, Sidney Sndth and Douglas Jerrold were in 
the larvae stage for wit and humor when compared 
with Uncle Gus.” 

He gave no attention to Kate’s interjected re- 
mark, but looking at Grace and putting his hand to 
his ear as if listening, he said: 

“Methinks I heard the sound of word playing. 
Preposterous, is it? Pre and posterous. The cart 
before the horse, eh? The before should come 
after. Well, Grace, it depends upon the view- 
point. I looked at the affray from Tim’s side — 
Tim-buc-too. But if you look at it from the side of 
his two assailants, you are right — ^Too-buc-tim.” 

When they were bidding the girls good night, 
Hamilton said to Grace : 

“Will you drive with me to-morrow afternoon, 
or would you prefer to exercise on horseback?” 

“Thank you; I prefer to drive. In fact, I am 
not as good a horsewoman as Kate, and I am just a 
little afraid of her thoroughbred.” 


CHAPTER XXII 


When Hamilton and Livingstone had gone, 
Grace went to her room for the purpose of writing 
and letting her sister, Helen, know the day of her 
return to New York. After she had gone, the doc- 
tor asked : 

“Kate, have you ever talked the railroad acci- 
dent over with Hamilton?” 

“Yes, he brought the subject up himself, just as 
1 expected and just as I told you he would do. We 
went over the accident in detail soon after his re- 
turn to Denver. As I promised you I would do, I 
made the amende honorable.” 

“Well, you seem to hang fire. Go on and tell 
me how.” 

“By talking to him and telling him how sorry 1 
was about the course I had pursued and asking 
his forgiveness.” 

“I can’t see where the excuse for such conduct 
gets in, but of course he had to be polite and grant 
all that you asked. I suspect, howeyer, he found 
himself in a predicament like that to which my 
friend, Jim Rudd, found himself when he courted 
his sweetheart.” 

“How was that, Uncle Gus?” 

“Jim had been scraping his wing around his 


239 


240 THE WAY TO WIN 

girl for a long time, and he fancied she had no ob- 
jection to hearing the sound thereof. In fact, Jim 
imagined that she enjoyed and encouraged the busi- 
ness. So he fed her on hints, innuendoes, cool 
drinks, and bon bons, until he had every reason 
to believe that he was clearly understood and that 
the time for asking the all-important question had 
come, and, further, that it was expected. He fired 
his question. She was so overcome with surprise 
that it took her several minutes to recover her 
breath — she had never dreamed of such a thing — 
she had never suspected that he regarded her in 
other light than that of a sister — she had always 
loved him as a brother — she had been misunder- 
stood and she was so sorry; and wound up the long 
list of her surprises, regrets, and sorrows by say- 
ing: 

“ ‘Mr. Rudd, if in any way I have thoughtlessly 
and unintentionally wronged you or misled you, 
will you not forgive me and still be my friend?’ 

“And Jim added, when telling me about it, ‘And 
what in the devil’s name could I say but yes?’ ” 

“I am afraid your friend, Jim, was a soft snap,” 
said Kate, laughing. 

“It is my observation,” replied the doctor, “that 
the hardest of us grow soft when we come under 
the influence of a pretty and clever woman.” 

“But your friend. Dr. Hamilton, was not so 
soft, for he didn’t seem to be altogether satisfied.” 

“So you think you have found an exception; but, 
Kate, you forget that I said the woman must be 


THE WAY TO WIN 241 

pretty and clever. If he was not satisfied, what 
more did he want?” 

‘‘He threw out a hint or two that might mean 
one thing or might mean another thing, but he 
never did say, in so many words, just what he did 
want. Finally it occurred to me that he might 
be thinking of his fee, and I told him If he would 
present his bill for services rendered he would 
receive a responsive check.” 

‘‘Impossible, Kate, under the circumstances. A 
Hottentot would have had a better appreciation of 
the proprieties and more respect for Hamilton’s 
feelings !” 

‘‘All the same, that is just what I told him, and I 
fail to see that it is either improper or rude to offer 
to pay a doctor for services rendered. I know you 
doctors aspire to move upon a very high plane — 
that you claim that your profession is not a mat- 
ter merely of business or making a living — that 
there Is much of the pro hono publico In It, but you 
have never prevailed upon anybody to believe it 
and you never will. This ethical claim is the broad- 
est of farces. We all know that you are engaged 
in your profession for what there Is In it — as a 
means of making a living; and I have yet to hear 
one of your brotherhood declining a fee for serv- 
ices rendered.” 

‘‘Kate, If you would attend the State convention 
of doctors at its next session I have no doubt you 
would gain some notoriety and make a reputation; 
provided that body would listen to your harangue 
upon the ethics and business methods of the pro- 


242 THE WAY TO WIN 

fesslon. But I don’t intend to be switched off the 
main line and left standing on the side track of 
your ethical and business rails. You can’t succeed 
in such a shallow and transparent trick. Surely, 
Kate, you did not so far forget yourself as to pro- 
pose to pay Hamilton for his services at the rail- 
road wreck? I cannot believe it! Come, tell me 
you did not do it 1” 

There was a low laugh, and Kate said: 

“Uncle Gus, there are some things that I had 
rather talk about with you than with father. You 
seem to understand me better and enter more fully 
into my feelings, and what I am going to tell you 
must keep to yourself. Now, Dr. Hamilton did 
not seem to be offended in the least when I made 
the suggestion that you so severely condemn. In- 
deed, he seemed to take it very kindly, and gave 
me to understand — mind you, he did not say It In 
so many words, but he gave me to understand — 
that the fee he wanted for his services on that occa- 
sion is the patient rather than her money. There, 
now. Uncle Gus, I did say It, but It is getting late 
and I can’t stay here to quarrel with you about my 
Hottentot ways. Good night. Uncle Gus, and 
may angel dreams bring you good humor with the 
morning.” 

“Stop, Kate, stop! Stop, I say, and tell me all 
about it !” 

But Kate did not stop, and the doctor could hear 
the sound of her flying feet mingling w'lth her 
laughter as she ran up the staircase to her room. 


THE WAY TO WIN 243 

Leaning back in his chair, he had a hearty laugh 
as he mentally put the question: 

“Who would have thought that bundle of calico 
and mischief was merely amusing herself and hav- 
ing her fun at my expense ? Well, I am glad of it. 
Hamilton is the best man I know, and he is almost 
worthy of Kate — not quite ; as to that, I don’t 
know any man that is worthy of her. 

“Now, if Danzell can only manage to place a 
mortgage on Grace, succeed in sucessfully fore- 
closing it and bring her to live here, we will not 
only have a ‘hot time in the old town to-night,’ 
but we will have it all the time. The thought of it 
almost makes me feel young again and reconciles 
me to a long lease of life. Well, I am very much 
obliged to Kate if she did give me the news in her 
own prankish and teasing manner, and if I had to 
punish her for her fun-loving, merry-making ways 
I don’t know whether I would prefer to strangle 
her with hugging or to smother her with kisses. 
But even youth must have a little rest — so here 
goes for a round with old Morpheus, and may he 
soon put me to sleep.’’ 


CHAPTER XXIII 


It was a pleasant afternoon, and when Hamilton 
reached the Somers residence he found Grace 
ready and waiting for his coming. The drives 
were in splendid condition, and soon they were 
bowling along at a rapid rate, for Hamilton knew 
how to handle the lines and bring out all there 
was in a horse. 

“How did it happen that I found you ready 
and waiting for me? Did you mistake the hour. 
Miss Grace, or have you ceased to be fashion- 
able?” 

“To meet an appointment is a mere matter of 
business, and I was ready because I did remember 
the hour.” 

“When will you leave for New York?” 

“I shall leave next Wednesday. Only four more 
days of Denver, where 1 have spent three of the 
happiest months of my life, for much of which I 
am indebted to you and for which I now sincerely 
thank you.” 

“The day that you leave will be a black-letter 
day for me, and 1 am almost tempted to ask you 
to come back and make your home in Denver.” 

“Come, Doctor, none of that, for more reasons 
than one. In the first place, you don’t really mean 


244 


THE WAY TO WIN 245 

it, and in the second place the time has gone by 
when I could entertain such a proposition and I 
have good reason to think you know it — otherwise 
the intimation would not have been given — you 
knew you were safe in making it.” 

“What do you mean when you say the time has 
gone by?” 

“Oh, well, I mean that if you had made a propo- 
sition of that nature three years ago, when you 
ranked, perhaps, as the leading eligible in our 
New York set and when you were heart whole and 
I was heart free, I have no doubt I would have 
taken it under serious consideration. But, as I 
said, that time has gone by, for you are no longer 
heart whole and I am no longer heart free.” 

“Am I to understand that you expect to return 
to this city?” 

“Yes, after Kate has made me a visit to my 
home.” 

“Miss Grace, are you not evading my question ?” 

“No, I am not, and to prove to you that I am 
not, I am ready and willing to exchange confi- 
dences with you. What say you ?” 

“I have so little to tell that I am afraid the 
agreement would be what the lawyers call nudum 
pactum” 

“I don’t know much about such questions, but 
if I am correctly informed I only have the right 
to raise that question and I am not going to do it. 
Besides, in making that assertion, you are unjust 
to yourself and your well-earned character for 
frankness. Dr. Hamilton, I have been your friend 


246 THE WAY TO WIN 

and admirer ever since the night of my debut — 
that fearful infliction to which every girl who 
aspires to society must submit. I shall never for- 
get how kindly you came to my relief — how you 
skilfully shielded the frightened girl, and how you 
managed to restore my composure and put me at 
my ease. From that time we have been friends, and 
I believe you have always had a kind spot in your 
heart for me. Not that I ever had designs upon 
you in a matrimonial way, or that you ever thought 
of me otherwise than one with whom you could 
spend a pleasant hour. We have exchanged insin- 
uations — ^you that I am coming back to Denver — 
I that you are no longer heart whole. You seem 
to forget that I am as intimate with Kate as you 
are with Mr. Dalzell. Now, let us talk out or 
drop the subject. Which shall it be ?” 

“It seems Miss Kate has been talking to you 
about me. What did she say?” 

“I will let you know after you have told me what 
Mr. Dalzell has said to you about me.” 

“I see you have been to the fencing school. So 
you insist on me breaking the ice, do you?” 

“No, I do not insist on any such thing, for, as 
you call it, I have already broken the ice. But I 
do insist, to carry out your simile, that you enter 
the waters with me and share the dangers — if 
there be any.” 

“Well, here we go into the water. Dalzell has 
talked very freely to me about himself. Miss Grace, 
but he has told me very little about you. He does 
not deny that he is in love with you and that he is 


THE WAY TO WIN 247 

seeking to marry you, but if there is any engage- 
ment or understanding between you he has never 
admitted it to me nor has he intimated such a thing. 
Granting that the matter has been discussed be- 
tween you, he considers it your secret and he is too 
much of a gentleman to speak of it.” 

“When I see Mr. Dalzell I shall give him per- 
mission to tell you anything you may wish to know ; 
provided you prove yourself a good boy and tell 
me certain things 1 want to know.” 

“That will not do. Miss Grace, for you pro- 
posed an exchange of confidences, and how is it 
that you now refer me to Mr. Dalzell?” 

“Well, I shall set you a good example and I 
shall expect you to be equally frank. When, 
merely by way of pleasantry, you remarked that 
you were almost tempted to ask me to come back 
to Denver and keep house for you, I replied in the 
same vein, but with more of truth, that you were 
too late. By that I meant that I am engaged to 
Mr. Dalzell and that I expect to marry him. I 
also told you that I expect to come to Denver again 
after Kate had visited me at my home. In other 
words, she has promised to be present at my mar- 
riage, and we expect to return with her to Denver. 
Now, I have, as I said I would do, set you a good 
example and you must not forget that I am in the 
confessional and waiting to hear you. Before you 
proceed, however,” she added with a smile, “I 
wish to call your attention to quite an advantage 
which your jesting intimation has given me. It is 
the privilege of old age to live among the ‘might 


248 THE WAY TO WIN 

have beens,’ and when I get to be an old woman 
and you get to be a surgeon with a national repu- 
tation, as I believe you soon will be, and the people 
are talking about the great Dr. Hamilton, I can 
say he is an old friend of mine, and on a certain 
occasion he intimated to me that he had considered 
the question of asking me to become his wife and 1 
told him he was too late. It will be a pleasant 
reminiscence, and I don’t care if you did make it in 
jest, I shall be sure to tell it.” 

“The truth,” said Hamilton, “is sometimes 
spoken in jest. I admit that none but the coward 
does it — ” 

“And, therefore,” interrupted Grace, “it is not 
Dr. Hamilton’s way. So we will dismiss that phase 
of the question. You forget, however, that I am 
in the confessional — you can proceed, I am listen- 
ing.” 

“Before I proceed, let me tell you how delighted 
I am with your choice. Leaving myself out, of 
course, I am honest in saying that you could not 
improve on it. Dalzell is the best man I know — 
you are familiar with the saying that no man 
knows himself — and I rejoice that you have, in my 
opinion, secured the biggest prize in the matri- 
monial market. As I am to lose, I am well pleased 
that Dalzell is to win. With you and Livingstone 
here we will often live over the old days and have 
many a good time.” 

“Doctor, I am just now more interested in your 
present, and I want to know if there is any trouble 
between you and Kate?” 


THE WAY TO WIN 249 

“I can assure you there is none of my making.” 

‘‘My friend, your answer is evasive and at the 
same time it is an admission that there is trouble — 
but of Kate’s making. How can I judge of whose 
making it is without being made acquainted with 
the circumstances? It seems somebody is at fault 
and here you are, like father Adam, trying to put 
the blame on the woman without stating facts. 
Come, talk out. Tell me the facts, for I intend to 
know all about this trouble, and you might as well 
tell me first as last.” 

‘‘The trouble between Miss Kate and myself is 
not uncommon between marriageable people — I 
am interested in her, but she is not interested in me, 
in fact, she is indifferent.” 

‘‘Now, Doctor, we are getting down to business. 
1 don’t mean to say that Kate feels any special in- 
terest in you, but I do want to know why you think 
she is indifferent. What has she said or done to 
justify your conclusion?” 

‘‘I take it for granted that she has told you 
about the railroad wreck and what there took 
place?” 

‘‘Yes, she told me all about that ; but what of It ?” 

‘‘From the wreck we came to this city on the 
same train. When she had fully recovered she 
went to California and was absent for several 
months. On her return we met, and It took her a 
long time to find out that I was her surgeon on the 
occasion of the wreck. That fact alone, it seems 
to me, goes to show that she did not care even to 
know me, much less to cultivate my acquaintance.” 


250 THE WAY TO WIN 

“How did she find out that you were the surgeon 
of the wreck?” 

“She knew me all the time, but did not care to 
recognize me — and there comes in the point.” 

“How do you know that she knew all the time 
that you and the wreck surgeon were one and the 
same person?” 

“On the very best authority — she told me her- 
self.” 

“Ah! You have talked the matter over with 
her, have you? Did she offer any explanation of 
her conduct, and what did she say?” 

“Well, she made the amende honorable, as the 
duellist would say, and asked my forgiveness, and 
of course I granted it.” 

“Were you speaking truthfully when you told 
her you excused and forgave her?” 

“Certainly. At that time I meant every word 
I said.” 

“Doctor, be honest and tell me, is it honorable 
in you to hold that mistake against her after you 
told her that her explanation was satisfactory and 
that you freely forgave her?” 

“No, certainly not, and I mentioned it only to 
show her indifference — nothing more.” 

“If she had been indifferent, Doctor, would she 
have mentioned it at all?” 

“Well, there are other facts going to show the 
same thing.” 

“So far, so good. We will dismiss the railroad 
wreck. Now go on and tell me some of the other 
facts going to show her indifference to you. I am 


THE WAY TO WIN 251 

your friend and her friend, and I insist on know- 
ing.” 

“When in attendance upon her at the wreck, I 
suggested that we give each other our names, as 
matter of convenience, and I informed her that I 
was Dr. Jack Hamilton. Her reply was that I 
might call her Kate. Of course I had to be con- 
tent. I was spending the evening at the house of 
Judge Somers when I received the summons to 
New York about my uncle’s affairs. Finding that 
I had but one hour in which to make my arrange- 
ments and catch the next train going East, I imme- 
diately rose to take my leave. She went out with 
me on the veranda and to the stoop, where I bade 
her good night, calling her Miss Somers, as was 
my custom. She replied by saying, I thought I 
gave you permission to call me Kate? This of 
course referred to what she had said at the wreck. 
I was on the steps at the instant of her reply, and 1 
quickly turned to continue the conversation, but 
she would not linger and seemed to hurry away, 
saying, as she went, ‘Doctor, you will miss your 
train. Au revoirJ ” 

“Well, my friend, what do you think her conduct 
showed?” 

“I think it showed very clearly that she had no 
desire to canvass the wreck; that she was indifferent 
to the things and the persons connected with it, and 
that, in recalling it, she was merely amusing herself 
to see what effect it would have on me.” 

Grace looked at him with a smile of amusement 
playing about her mouth, and said: 


252 THE WAY TO WIN 

“If she had remained and continued the conver- 
sation you would have missed your train, and 
under the circumstances that would have been 
most unfortunate. She said '‘au revoir,^ which 
meant we will meet again and the conversation can 
be renewed. She brought the subject up herself, 
which showed that she was mindful of it and of the 
persons connected with it, and, more especially, of 
what passed between you and her. She asked you 
to lay aside formality, which showed that she was 
willing to be on a more familiar footing with you. 
She followed you out on the piazza to tell you all 
this, and yet you say she was only manifesting in- 
difference to you and seeking amusement at your 
expense? My friend, in an uncompromising way, 
it showed interest and was as much encouragement 
as any womanly woman could afford to give, and, 
knowing her as I do, I am only surprised that she 
went so far.” 

“I confess. Miss Grace, I had not analyzed and 
looked at the matter from your point of view. 
Miss Grace, woman’s intuition is seldom at fault. 
It is not her nature to be an idle onlooker in affairs 
of affection, and I have no doubt you know as well 
as I do that I am much interested in Miss Kate. I 
will go further, and tell you frankly that I have 
seriously thought of asking her to be my w'ife, but, 
try as I would, I never could get her to understand 
the object of my attention, or get from her a scin- 
tilla of encouragement by word, look, or gesture.” 

“You say you have tried in every possible way 
to get Kate to understand you, and without sue- 


THE WAY TO WIN 253 

cess? Did you ever tell her that you loved her 
and ask her to marry you?” 

“No, I never went so far as that, for I had no 
reason to suppose that such a proposition would be 
kindly received.” 

“It seems, then, that there is one way that you 
have not tried — the only way that can bring a re- 
sponse from a true and refined woman. According 
to your own admission, for I don’t know how long, 
you have been trying by hints and side remarks, by 
intimations here and insinuations there, to entangle 
Kate without committing yourself. You have been 
seeking to find out, and that too by indirect means, 
the state of her feelings toward you before giving 
her to understand that she had found a lodgment 
in your affections. You have been trying to get an 
indirect proposal of marriage from her without de- 
claring yourself or in any manner committing 
yourself. So that is the game you have been try- 
ing to work, is it? It was an insult to Kate’s intel- 
ligence, an affront to her womanhood, and a dis- 
grace to your manhood. I am surprised that she 
has not openly resented such treatment long ago. 
Dr. Hamilton, tell me frankly, do you consider 
that course of conduct honorable? Is it the part 
of a manly man and an honest lover?” 

Seeing Hamilton flush under the questions, she 
said: 

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, and you 
must not allow yourself to become angry or irri- 
tated. If you imagine that Kate did not observe 
your attentions and did not take notice of your 


254 the way to win 

hints, I feel certain that I can safely assure you 
that you are mistaken. All such things we gather 
in quick enough, but how are we to know that you 
really mean that these attentions shall convey the 
true state of your feelings? If they are merely 
gallantries and intended for the passing hour and 
we accept them as serious, you can readily see that 
we become objects of amusement and, it may be, 
victims of ridicule. On the other hand, if they 
come from interested affection and are emanations 
from the heart, and we fail to estimate them at 
their true value, but receive them as complimen- 
tary gallantries for the purposes of a passing hour, 
and a proposal, to our surprise, is made and de- 
clined, we are charged with having cruelly lured 
the man to his fall and we are branded as heartless 
coquettes. You know what you mean, but we do 
not, and for that reason we have to be watchful of 
our conduct and guarded in our replies.” 

“Miss Grace, you make a strong case for your 
side of the house, and while your words carry a 
sting, they give no offense. However, if you carry 
out your views to their logical result, then, it seems 
to me, there will be an end to attentions and hints.” 

“Not at all. We are all fond enough of them 
and enjoy them as pastime. Further, their skilful 
use serves to put us on the alert. We like atten- 
tion and we have no objection to lover-like hints, 
for if flattery is the food of fools it is none the less 
a tempting morsel to the wisest and the best of us. 
But what we do object to is the expectation on your 
part to entrap us into a betrayal of our true feel- 


THE WAY TO WIN 255 

ings by such unmanly means. If you are permitted 
to be gallant without censure, why are we not per- 
mitted to be agreeable without reproach?” 

‘‘I suppose Mr. Dalzell never offered to enter- 
tain you with such trifles?” 

‘You know better than that. He was attentive 
and he did give hints. As I have said, these things 
have their time and place and are all right in them- 
selves. They are wrong only when used for a sin- 
ister purpose, and I can say he never, either di- 
rectly or indirectly, tried to find out what I thought 
of him in the way of matrimony, until he openly 
declared his love for me and asked me to become 
his wife. Any other course is not suited to his 
nature, and it seems to me it is the only course open 
to the manly man and the honest lover.” 

‘‘From your standpoint. Miss Grace, your views 
are correct. To show you that I really agree with 
you, I will tell you that I began a frank declaration 
to Miss Kate only the other night, when we were 
interrupted — and very much to her relief, as it 
seemed to me.’ ’ 

‘‘The interested party is seldom a good judge in 
such matters. Tell me all about it and let me sit in 
judgment,” 

‘‘It took place the night of the Dalzell entertain- 
ment and out on the lawn. But I am of opinion 
that you know what took place between Miss 
Kate and myself on that night. The illustration 
that you gave last night, when you pictured your- 
self and Dalzell sitting in some cozy nook amid 
the mountain scenery, and the supposition that I 


256 THE WAY TO WIN 

should come and interrupt the sweet nothings that 
he was whispering in your ear, satisfied me that you 
are acquainted with much that happened that night 
on the lawn.” 

“Yes, and for this pleasant outing I am, in some 
measure, indebted to your selfish desire to find out 
what Kate had told me. Oh, you need not raise 
your hands in protest. A man in love is more 
transparent than he thinks he is, and your motive 
was mirrored in your eyes and face when you 
asked me to drive with you. Well, I will not deny 
that, after a prolonged effort with cork-drawing 
questions that would win the admiration of law- 
yers and make my fortune, if I were engaged in the 
profession, I did succeed in getting Kate to tell 
me something of the happenings of that night out 
on the lawn. Did you expect to continue your pro- 
posal in the presence of Inez?” 

“Why do you ask that question? You know 
that I had no such thought.” 

“Did you expect Kate to show, by word or con- 
duct,^ to Inez that her appearance was disturbing 
and inopportune?” 

“Certainly not, but I did not expect her to ‘slop 
over’ with joy.” 

“Dr. Hamilton, that slangy remark is unworthy 
of you and unjust to Kate. Was not her manner 
in receiving Inez calculated to conceal what was 
passing between you and her, and might this not 
have been her motive?” 

“You may be right in that, but I do not think it 
was necessary to be so demonstrative. I confess it 


THE WAY TO WIN 257 

annoyed me, and when I went back to the house 
and saw Carson dallying with her I admit that my 
annoyance hardened into irritation.” 

“If, by dallying, you mean wasting time, I think 
you are very much mistaken. Mr. Carson, as I see 
it, is trying to improve every moment and is anxious 
to make hay — if only he can get the sun to shine. 
In my opinion, he is very much in earnest.” 

“And how about Miss Kate, is she also in 
earnest?” 

“Yes, I think she is just as much in earnest as is 
Mr. Carson.” As Grace said this she was looking 
smilingly into his face, and he was looking search- 
ingly into hers as he said : 

“What do you mean? Do you mean that she 
will marry him?” 

“I don’t know that I ought to tell you, but I will 
turn Jesuit for once and let the end sanctify the 
means. Mr. Carson stands as much chance of 
marrying Kate as I do of marrying the man in the 
moon, and that is certainly, as the lawyers call it, a 
case of remoteness.” 

“Thank you ! That is the most comforting re- 
mark that you have made since we set out driv- 
ing — indeed, the only one.” 

“Now that I have told you of Mr. Carson’s 
chances, I suppose you would like to hear what 
Kate thinks of you?’ 

“Go on. You could not give me a greater pleas- 
ure — if favorable.” 

“In the first place, I am not certain that I know, 
and in the second place I would not tell you if I did 


258 THE WAY TO WIN 

know. But there Is one thing I do know — you will 
never find out what she thinks by hints and fox-like 
circlings. If you ever marry Kate Somers you will 
have to talk out like a man and a lover — you will 
have to tell her that you love her and that you want 
her for your wife.” 

“But what if she should decline to be Mrs. Ham- 
ilton?” 

“Well, you would be no worse off than you now 
are, and It may be that you will be nearer your ob- 
ject, for you will have made a beginning, and a 
good judge of our sex has said ‘one rebuff is no re- 
jection.’ Do you remember the lines that Sir Wal- 
ter Scott ascribes to Raleigh and Good Queen 
Bess? You do not? Well, then I will try and recall 
them to your mind. The Queen was going along 
the street to her barge for an excursion on the 
Thames. She came to a muddy place and hesi- 
tated, when Raleigh, whose fortune It was to be 
standing near the spot, threw his scarlet cloak over 
the muddy place. She stepped upon the cloak and 
passed on to her boat. As she did so the Queen 
recognized the courtesy with a smile and a bow, but 
she did not know the comely youth, as he was quite 
young and had never been presented at court. 
When she reached her barge she sent an attendant 
back in search of a young man with a muddy cloak. 
Raleigh was found, taken to the barge, and into the 
Queen’s presence. Thus his wonderful career was 
begun with a scarlet cloak to end on the headman’s 
scaffold. A day or two after the cloak Incident the 
Queen gave a banquet at her palace, which Raleigh 


THE WAY TO WIN 259 

attended. He was seen standing at the window 
of a pavilion writing on a pane of glass with a dia- 
mond which the Queen had given him. She heard 
of the incident, and in company with one of her 
court ladies she ^vent to see what the young man 
had written, and found this line: 


“ ‘Fain would I climb, but that I fear to fall.’ 

“The Queen was amused, and said to her com- 
panion there ought to be a couplet. She studied 
for a minute, and then wrote underneath Raleigh’s 
line : 

“ ‘If thy heart fail thee, do not climb at all.’ ” 

“Thank you,” said Hamilton; “I will put my 
fortune to the test this night, and during my call 
you must have business in your room for half an 
hour.” 

“You shall do no such thing. It would be 
neither for your good nor my comfort.” 

“I don’t understand you. Why not to-night?” 

“Because she might suspect that this drive had 
something to do v;ith it, and if she did she might 
not be altogether gracious to you and she might 
feel annoyed with me. You must wait until I am 
gone, so she can have no suspicion that I have had 
a hand in weaving the web of her destiny.” 

“Well, you understand such matters better than 
I do, and while I do not like the delay I shall fol- 
low your advice. Now, tell me, when are you and 
Dalzell to marry?” 


26 o the way to win 

“The day is not fixed. There are certain for- 
malities that Mr. Dalzell must go through before 
we can do that. But it is not far away, as I do not 
believe in long engagements. No man has the 
right to ask a girl to marry him until he is ready 
and willing to take care of her, and no girl has the 
right to enter into an agreement of that kind until 
she Is ready and willing to fulfill it. 

“In society an engaged girl is neither fish, nor 
flesh, nor good salt herring. She is neither mar- 
ried nor single. She Is merely a target for cheap 
and stale witticisms, and impertinent hints and in- 
nuendoes. The man is In the same condition, and 
sensitive and sensible people do not care to endure 
this state of affairs longer than is necessary. After 
Mr. Dalzell has Interviewed father we will fix the 
day, and I will add I expect to be a citizen of Den- 
ver within the next three months. As I am not 
fond of making a spectacular show of myself, it 
will be a very quiet affair. I hope that you and 
Dr. Livingstone will be present.’’ 

“With our hospital and our general practice we 
are very busy, and It will not be possible for both 
of us to leave the city. I will give way to Living- 
stone, as your <^amily and his are connected. By 
the way, does Livingstone know of your engage- 
ment?” 

“No. It is known only to you and Kate, and 
the Dalzell mother and sister — but you may tell 
him.” 

“May I tell Dr. Blake? I know he will be de- 
lighted.” 


26 i 


THE WAY TO WIN 

“Yes, you may tell him, but no one else. Dear 
old Uncle Gus, what a treasure he is. I don’t know 
how any one could get sick with him around — he 
so abounds with humor, and that of the infectious 
kind.” 


CHAPTER XXIV 

It was night. Hamilton and Livingstone had 
been discussing a troublesome case. This had been 
going on an hour or more, when Livingstone 
turned to Hamilton and said : 

“You were driving with Grace this afternoon. 
Did you enjoy the drive and did you learn anything 
that is tellable?” 

“Yes, I enjoyed the drive very much. Who 
could fail to enjoy a drive with Grace — she is so 
sprightly and sensible, so unselfish and unaffected! 
Among other things, she told me that she is en- 
gaged to Dalzell, and gave me permission to tell 
you and Dr. Blake. You must remember, how- 
ever, that she forbids all further communication.” 

“I take it for granted that she has told Miss 
Kate?” 

“It was thoughtless of you to put that remark in 
the form of a question, for you certainly know, 
as between those two, there are no secrets.” 

“Well, Jack, I am glad of it. I knew that Dal- 
zell was making the fight of his life and I had 
serious misgivings as to the result. Grace is a lov- 
able woman and there always will be sunshine in 
her home. She will be quite an addition to our 

262 


THE WAY TO WIN 263 

Eastern colony, and I trust an early day has been 
named for the ceremony.” 

“Grace, you know, leaves next Wednesday for 
her home. Dalzell will accompany her, and after 
he has interviewed the pater they will settle upon 
the all-important day for taking the marriage vow. 
I have good reason for thinking it will not be long 
deferred, as she expressed the hope that she would 
be with us again within the next three months.” 

“I suppose you will be present as best man?” 

“No, I shall remain here and look after our af- 
fairs. You are connected with Grace’s family, 
and it is right and proper that you should fill that 
position. Nobody will accompany Dalzell from 
Denver except his sister. Miss Kate, and you. It 
is a congenial party and I hope, Sid, you will avail 
yourself of the opportunities offered, and, like the 
little busy bee, improve each shining hour.” 

“Jack, you will do me the kindness to explain 
what you mean by such language? What am I 
to infer?” 

“Perhaps, Sid, I ought not to have said it, but, 
having said it, the explanation is, that nothing 
would please me better than to see you and Inez 
growing into each other’s affections.” 

“Unless it is to hear Miss Kate say yes to the 
all-important question,” answ^ered Livingstone, 
laughing. “People who live in glass houses. Jack, 
ought to be careful how they throw stones. With- 
out regard to what she may think, granting that my 
feelings are in accord with your wishes, I could not 
be prevailed upon to give utterance to a single 


264 the way to win 

word that would direct her thoughts into the chan- 
nel you suggest. Her brother will naturally give 
his attention to Miss Kate and will expect me to 
look after his sister. Practically, she places her- 
self under my care, and I do not iDelieve any man, 
claiming to be a gentleman, would for a moment 
think of abusing a woman who is looking to him 
for protection. As I view the matter, it would be 
dishonorable in me to bestow upon her any atten- 
tions beyond those of cordial friendship. Under 
the circumstances, any other course places the 
woman at a great disadvantage, and no man could 
intentionally do that and be a gentleman.” 

“You are right, Sid, and I spoke without think- 
ing. But I feel dull and sluggish, and I propose 
that we go round to Van Tromp’s rooms and have 
a game of billiards. What say you?” 

When they arrived at Van Tromp’s rooms they 
found Carson, Percival, and two others engaged 
in a game of whist. Van Tromp, with a friend, 
was looking on, and Dr. Blake and Dalzell, who 
had called on business with Van Tromp, were in 
the act of leaving. As Hamilton and Livingstone 
entered. Dr. Blake called out to them: 

“Hello, have you knight-errants come in to join 
in the boisterously festive game you call — whist? 
I know of but one other amusement that can rival 
it in noisy gaiety — chess. I was reading to-day 
about a game now going on between two well- 
known players. The writer stated that the game 
had been running vigorously for ten days and only 
five moves had been made. He went on to say. 


THE WAY TO WIN 265 

however, that it was a most interesting game. 
Think of It ! Five moves In ten days and the game 
most Interesting! I had rather be caught playing 
pranks and having fun with the mummy of old 
Rameses. It would be a cloudburst of merriment 
in comparison and, as intellectual provender, much 
more interesting.” 

“My friend,” said Hamilton, “chess is said to 
be a very Intellectual game, and more particularly 
does it test the military genius. I suppose you may 
have heard as much?” 

“Oh, yes, I have heard all that, and I have heard 
that the moon is made of green cheese, but I never 
believed It. Paul Morphy was, perhaps, the great- 
est chess player the world has produced, and If he 
was ever good for anything else I have never heard 
of it. Napoleon was the greatest chieftain that 
ever acted a part on the military stage, and it is a 
well-known fact that he was an indifferent chess 
player. History nowhere shows that a military 
genius ever excelled at chess. On the other hand, 
my observation and my reading satisfies me that 
the great chess player, like the fiddler. Is, as a rule, 
absolutely worthless outside his specialty.” 

“How comes it. Doctor, with such views that 
we find you here in attendance upon the whist 
table?” asked Livingstone. 

“I am not in attendance, nor is it a joy to me. 
If I had known it w'as going on I would have 
passed by on the other side. I was on my way 
home when I chanced to meet with Dalzell, and I 
asked him to come with me and witness the pay- 


266 THE WAY TO WIN 

ment of a fee that I owed Van Tromp for counsel 
on a matter that I knew, or ought to have known, 
more about than he did. Having been fool enough 
to counsel with him, I had to meet the tariff, and 
Van Tromp being a lawyer, I wanted a witness to 
the payment.” 

“Why a witness? You could have taken a re- 
ceipt and that would have barred all further 
claim.” 

“My dear Livingstone, you are but little versed 
in the ways of the legal fraternity. You are still 
in the callow stage of life. Van Tromp could 
make me pay him a second time. He could sue me 
for the fee, and when I bring forward the receipt 
he could put up a half-dozen witnesses of national 
renown as experts in handwriting and prove that 
it is all a forgery — skilfully executed, but none the 
less a forgery. It is true that I could put up a half- 
dozen other witnesses — expert witnesses of equal 
reputation — and prove just the contrary. All this, 
you can easily see, would leave the matter in doubt 
and give Van Tromp an even chance to win the 
case and convict me of forgery. I don’t propose 
to take any such risk.” 

There was quite a laugh as the doctor finished 
ventilating his views as to the value of expert tes- 
timony, and Carson, from the whist table, called: 

“Hey, there, you fellows, I wish you would stop 
your noise — you are interfering with the game.” 

Dr. Blake winked at Livingstone, and in a whis- 
pering tone said: 

“These fellows think they have a monopoly on 


THE WAY TO WIN 267 

all amusement. They are not willing for the other 
fellow to have a little fun. We must get out of 
this place, or these fellows will bring the house 
about our heads with their boisterous merriment.” 

“No, come into the billiard room,” said Ham- 
ilton. “Sid and I came here for a game of bil- 
liards, and when we have finished the game we will 
all go home with you and see you safely in bed 
after this night of your excessive dissipation.” 

They went to the room, and soon the game was 
begun and carried on with a zest known only to 
lovers of the sport. Having finished the game, 
they started for the street. Passing through the 
whist room they found the party taking a recess, 
and Carson entertaining those present with some 
of his adventures among the demi-monde and 
grisettes of Paris. As Hamilton was passing. Car- 
son called to him : 

“Dr. Hamilton, I am amusing the boys with 
bits of my experience among the soiled beauties of 
Paris; but I know that mine, in comparison with 
yours, are nothing more than the flashes of the fire- 
fly compared with electric arc lights. Stay, and 
let us hear from you.” 

“I have no experiences of that kind that I care 
to recall, much less to relate, Mr. Carson.” 

“Do you mean that you have had no experiences 
of that kind?” 

“Not at all. My experience has been large and 
varied. I mean only that I had rather forget all 
such than talk about them.” 

“You made quite a reputation in Paris, Doctor, 


268 THE WAY TO WIN 

and you could be quite entertaining if you were 
only accommodating.” 

“Mr. Carson, you were in Paris after I had left 
the place, and I have no idea what the young hot 
bloods and sports of that city told you about me 
and my doings in their hilarious moments. How- 
ever, I have nothing to deny or conceal and I give 
you liberty to repeat anything you may have heard, 
if you think it will prove a source of pleasure to 
your friends. But I do not think I ought to be 
charged with a want of accommodation merely 
because I decline to wade through the filth of a 
past life for the amusement of other people.” 

By this time the two men were standing near 
each other and Hamilton was speaking in the 
rather low, determined tone that always charac- 
terized him when strongly moved. Evidently a 
crisis was approaching, and Percival attempted to 
avert it by saying: 

“Carson, we took a recess of only twenty min- 
utes and the time is out. You promised me an- 
other rubber and an opportunity for my revenge.” 

But Carson did not seem to hear him, and said: 

“Doctor, don’t you think you are overdoing the 
reform business — just a little, to say the least 
of it?” 

Hamilton was looking intently at him as he re- 
plied: 

“No, I do not. I am acting on principle, and 
if there remains a doubting Thomas I hope soon 
to convince him by consistent conduct.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 269 

“Does Job serve God for naught?” was Car- 
son’s sneering answer. 

“That is the voice of the tempter, and it is the 
second time I have heard as much from you. Now, 
I demand an explanation.” 

“It is easily given. I believe you are acting a 
part for a purpose, and I do not believe one word 
of what you say about principle, and — ” 

All further utterance was stopped by Hamil- 
ton’s open hand coming like a flash of lightning 
against his mouth. Carson staggered hack, more 
from astonishment than from the force of the 
blow, and then he leaped forward as the cougar 
springs for its victim. He was caught by his friends 
and held. In a moment he was calm, and turned 
and left the room 

When he had gone. Dr. Blake said something 
about leaving the place, and received for answer: 

“Not yet. I must stay and await the pleasure of 
Mr. Carson and his friends. Further, I want 
every one of you to remain and see the end of this 
trouble. You saw the beginning of it, and you 
must see the ending of it. Sit down, and I think it 
will not be long before we can see the coming of 
the courier.” 

In about twenty minutes Mr. Lawson, one of the 
whist party, came in and stated that he had been 
sent by Mr. Carson to demand satisfaction for the 
insult to which he had been subjected. 

“What kind of satisfaction does Mr. Carson 
want?” was Hamilton’s question. 


270 THE WAY TO WIN 

“He demands that you meet him under the rules 
of the ring and that you fight him to a finish.” 

“I thought,” Hamilton replied, “that the chal- 
lenged party always had the right to choose the 
weapons for the combat. But tell your principal 
that at last he finds me accommodating. It shall 
be as he wishes. When and where does he propose 
to have this meeting?” 

“He demands that it take place here, and as 
soon as the necessary preparations can be made.” 

“Tell your principal that I am always accommo- 
dating — let it be here and now. Having agreed 
to his every demand, I suppose he will grant me 
the privilege of choosing my own seconds. For 
any further details I refer you to Mr. Dalzell and 
Dr. Livingstone.” 

After Lawson had gone. Dr. Blake, addressing 
himself to Hamilton, wanted to know if it was 
impossible to bring about an adjustment that would 
be satisfactory to all parties. 

“In my opinion,” answered Hamilton, “you will 
find an adjustment impossible. I think Mr. Car- 
son has been seeking the present status of affairs 
for more than twelve months. He prides himself 
upon his physical manhood and his pugilistic skill, 
and when a good general obtains what he considers 
a strategic advantage he never willingly consents to 
the escape of the enemy.” 

Van Tromp came in and said: 

“Gentlemen, you must vacate this room. It has 
been agreed upon as the battleground. The sec- 
onds have gone to the athletic clubrooms for 


THE WAY TO WIN 271 

gloves, belts, and other necessary things and will 
return in a short time. They soon returned — the 
usual formalities were complied with — the gong 
sounded and the battle was on. 

First Round: The men went promptly to the 
scratch and, in the sparring that followed for an 
opening, each showed that he understood his busi- 
ness. After sparring for a time, Carson led with 
his left for the body, but was neatly blocked. The 
fight was rapid. Hamilton seemed to be acting on 
the defensive and he showed extraordinary foot- 
work. Carson feinted with his right and made a 
quick and vicious lead for the neck, which Hamil- 
ton avoided by side-stepping and receiving the 
blow without force on his uplifted shoulder. 

Second Round: Hamilton, still playing on the 
defensive, with Carson forcing the fighting and 
trying to bore his way in, but constantly foiled. 
But he continued to bore, and soon sent his right 
with tremendous force for the head, which Hamil- 
ton dodged and viciously sent his left to the body — 
staggering Carson, who, in turn, rushed and 
clinched. There was some rapid inside work, and 
in the break away Hamilton upper-cut, bringing 
the blood. 

Third Round: The fierce fighting was begin- 
ning to tell. Carson seemed to realize that he had 
met his match and was more cautious. Hamilton 
went to work as if he intended to finish the fight. 
He forced matters, and Carson gradually gave 
ground until, seeing an opening, he delivered a 
fearful body blow, while Hamilton countered with 
his left on the eye. It was a true blinker and drove 


272 THE WAY TO WIN 

Carson’s head back. Then there was a good deal 
of fiddling, when Hamilton began again to force 
matters and Carson clinched. The break away 
was clear. Then there was more fiddling, when 
Carson presented Hamilton with a staggering 
blow on the knowledge box and Hamilton again 
countered on the wounded optic. 

Fourth Round: By this time Carson’s eye was 
badly swollen and shot with blood, but he sent him- 
self into the fight for all he was worth. Hamilton 
again played on the defensive, slowly giving 
ground. Carson pushed the fight with supreme 
energy, and delivered two or three knock-out 
blows had they gone home. Suddenly Hamilton 
took the offensive, and sent his left to the body just 
below the heart, and stiffening his arm he seemed 
to rip everything upward. Carson went down 
upon his hands and knees, gasping for breath. He 
remained in that position until eight had been 
counted, when he rose to his feet and, fortunately 
for him, the end of the round was sounded. 

Fifth Round: Hamilton went in to win, but 
Carson was game — fought with desperation and 
took his punishment like a man. Suddenly Ham- 
ilton feinted with his right, and with lightning-like 
speed and all his weight behind the blow he struck 
Carson with the left under and near the turn of the 
jaw — fairly lifting him from the floor. He went 
down, attempted to rise, fell back and was counted 
out. 

Hamilton, turning to Dr. Blake, was the first to 
speak. 


THE WAY TO WIN 273 

“Dr. Blake, I wish you and Livingstone would 
see that Mr. Carson has every needed attention. 
Dalzell and I will wait for you in Van I'romp’s 
room.” 

As they entered the room, Dalzell said: 

“Hamilton, I envy you that blow, for the whole 
city will feel the good effects of it.” 

“What do you mean, Dalzell? I am not sure 
I understand you.” 

“I mean it will give some relief to the boys over 
whom Carson has bullied and blustered and lorded 
it for several years.” 

“I never once thought of the public good, and I 
am truly sorry that the necessity was forced upon 
me. I have no ambition to excel in that line — it 
partakes too much of the brutal, and the man 
whose only pride is in his physical strength con- 
cedes that the ox or the ass is his superior.” 

“You ought not to be too hard on Carson,” said 
Dalzell, laughing, “now that you have got him 
down. But, entertaining the views that you have 
just expressed, why is it that you have made your- 
self an expert in the science of the ring?” 

“First, for the good of the vital organs by de- 
veloping the physical man. Second, as a means of 
self-defense in time of need — to-night, for instance. 
Mithradates, we are told, fed on poisons until he 
was immune, but it does not’ follow that he was 
fond of the diet.” 

Blake and Livingstone returned with the infor- 
mation that Carson was coming round all right. 
Dr. Blake said: 


274 the way to win 

“Yes, he will soon be on his pins again, all right 
enough, but it will be some time before he shows 
that face on the street or stands at the corner to 
ogle the passing girl with that eye in which Ham- 
ilton planted the fever germs. But to think that 
I should be caught in such company in my old age, 
and have the beauty of my Christian character sul- 
lied with the dust of the prize ring! I remember, 
years ago, to have read about a brace of worthies 
known as Castor and Pollux, who must have insti- 
tuted the ring business. They may have been very 
fine gentlemen in their day and generation, but I 
have always regarded them as a pair of brutal bul- 
lies. It may be that the language in which I was 
first forced to read of their exploits had something 
to do with my aversion, but I cannot refrain from 
placing the same estimate upon all their devotees 
and followers. I shall not be able to face the pub- 
lic, to attend to my church duties, or to be a co- 
laborer with my pastor in good works for months 
to come.” 

They were all laughing at the assumed woe- 
begone, broken-hearted expression his face wore, 
when Dalzell replied: 

“Doctor, you are only investing in futures and 
heaping up excuses for the line of conduct that you 
know that you are going to pursue — judging the 
future by the past and in the light of Patrick Hen- 
ry’s lamp. As to the unexpected adventure of the 
night, we all regret it as much as you do ; and, but 
for the necessity forced upon us, we w'ould be as 


THE WAY TO WIN 275 

much ashamed of our presence at a ring fight as 
you could possibly be.” 

‘‘What you say, Dalzell, reminds me of Pat 
Todd’s first experience with his sweetheart.” 

‘‘Tell us about it, Doctor.” 

“As you all know Pat, I thought, perhaps, that 
you had heard of his first success as a beau. Pat 
was in his teens and was in love with a girl still 
earlier In her teens. They lived near together and 
about one-fourth of a mile from the church of their 
parents. They were mutually smitten, and in a 
general way were getting along beautifully, when 
Pat was seized with the conviction that he could no 
longer carry his bosom’s burden unless he could 
breathe into her shell-like ear the sweet whisper- 
ings of his heart. He was much worried for an 
opportunity, but the happy thought came to him 
of asking her to walk to church the following Sun- 
day night. Well, she consented and — well, the 
night did come, after what Pat thought an im- 
mensity of time. 

“It was a cloudless night, the moon was at the 
full, and everything was basking in the beauty of 
her light — a night that lovers love. They man- 
aged to hitch on to each other, and after getting 
out on the sidewalk Pat suggested that It was a 
very pleasant night. She agreed with him, and 
silence reigned for the next fifty yards. Pat then 
remarked that it was a beautiful evening. She 
agreed with him, and Impressive silence prevailed 
for the next one hundred yards. Pat then sug- 
gested that the moon must be at the full. She 


276 THE WAY TO WIN 

agreed with him, and prolonged silence followed. 
In desperation, Pat suggested that everybody must 
love a mooney night. She agreed with him, and 
oppressive silence hung around the loving twain 
until they reached the church. Their return from 
church was about as boisterous and hilarious as 
their going. When they had managed to steer 
themselves back to the stoop of his sweetheart’s 
home, she said to Pat, ‘Please don’t tell anybody 
what we have been saying and doing to-night — I 
am so ashamed of it.’ Pat promised eternal si- 
lence, saying, ‘I am just as much ashamed of it as 
you are.’ 

“As they are now prominent in society, I don’t 
mind telling you that the girl is now Pat’s wife, and 
you all know how sweetly entertaining she is and 
how quick at repartee when occasion demands. 
Pat told me about his first effort some two years 
ago, when I was called to see their little boy, who 
had a pimple on his nose or some such trifle. She 
was present and said it was all true, and laughed 
until I thought I heard the corset strings giving 
way. Now that we have found out that we are 
all ashamed of each other, I think it about time 
that we scattered for our roosting places.” 

“Before we separate,” said Hamilton, “I would 
like to say a word on behalf of Castor and Pollux. 
Doctor, I don’t think you sufficiently appreciate 
them, and I do fear that they have a great and last- 
ing advantage of you.” 

“Well, go on and tell me the wonderful advan- 


THE WAY TO WIN 277 

tage that brace of bruisers has over me. I am 
curious to know.” 

“They have been translated, and from the heav- 
ens they look down upon you from Gemini or the 
Twins. I won’t say anything about your chance 
for going in that direction.” 

The doctor looked at him for a moment in a 
pitying way and said : 

“Poor fellow! Much learning doth make thee 
mad I Dalzell, you and Livingstone come with 
me and we will try and get him to his rooms.” 


CHAPTER XXV 


It was the afternoon of the next day. Dr. Blake 
had come in from the hospital, and he was sitting 
in the library when Kate entered in search of a 
book. She found the book and was leaving the 
room, when she stopped and asked: 

“Uncle Gus, is Mr. Carson sick?” 

“I haven’t seen Mr. Carson to-day. Why do 
you ask the question?” 

“Because I expected to drive with him this after- 
noon, and this morning I received a note from him 
telling me he could not come, and — ” 

“And because he has thrown you overboard you 
imagine he must be sick, eh? He is fortunate to 
escape the charge of lunacy.” 

“Uncle Gus, how often have I told you that it is 
rude to interrupt another when speaking? I im- 
agine no such thing. I was going on to tell you, 
when you interrupted me, that he was at that time 
under the care of Dr. Livingstone and that he was 
forced to cancel the engagement that he had 
made.” 

“1 didn’t know that you were engaged to Car- 
son. Sorry to hear it. I don’t know what Dick 
will say, but you can rest assured that you will get 
no benediction from me.” 


278 


THE WAY TO WIN 279 

“Now, Uncle Gus, you are talking nonsense and 
you evade the question.” 

“Well, I haven’t seen Livingstone to-day. Is 
that satisfactory?” 

“No, you are still evading, and that excites my 
curiosity and quickens my interest in the question. 
You are concealing something and I intend to stay 
here until I get it. You will save time — the stuff 
that life is made of — and strengthen your veracity, 
which is much worn, by making a beginning.” 

“Purgatory is a garden of roses compared to a 
woman when her suspicion is aroused or her curi- 
osity is excited. Sit down and I will tell you all I 
know.” 

He then told her of the trouble between Ham- 
ilton and Carson; repeated the conversation that 
led up to it; gave her the particulars of the fight 
and the result. She eagerly listened to the details, 
and when he had finished she sat for some time 
studying the carpet at her feet. Looking up, she 
said : 

“Uncle Gus, you don’t know how sorry I am 
that this thing happened. It would have been 
much better if Dr. Hamilton could have done as 
John Randolph did on a certain occasion.” 

“I don’t think It happened,” said the doctor. “It 
was a campaign planned by Carson, but worked to 
a finish for which he had not bargained. Hamilton 
is a man of peace, but he is no cooing dove, as Car- 
son found out to his sorrow; and I don’t see what 
other course Hamilton could have pursued. He 


2 80 THE WAY TO WIN 

did what any man of spirit and proper self-respect 
would have done. 

“But you said something about what John Ran- 
dolph did — ^John Randolph of Roanoke, as he was 
haughtily pleased to call himself. Go on and tell 
me what he did. If you know anything good of 
him, I shall be pleased to hear it, for I would like 
if possible to modify my opinion of that compound 
of vinegar and vitriol.” 

“It seems he was so unfortunate as to offend a 
gentleman — ” 

“Unfortunate 1” broke in the doctor. “Why, 
Kate, giving offense was his mission in life. But 
go on.” 

“How can I go on when you are constantly in- 
terrupting me ? After the alleged insult this gen- 
tleman met Mr. Randolph on the street. He placed 
himself directly in the way of Mr. Randolph, and 
with an oath said, ‘I never give the road to ras- 
cals!’ Mr. Randolph bowed and merely re- 
marked as he passed round him, ‘I always do.’ ” 

“Yes, Kate, that was in his line. He was only 
carrying out his mission. It was only another way 
of saying to the bully, you are another. That kind 
of coin is not current among gentlemen, nor is it 
Hamilton’s way of resenting an insult. Carson 
gpe him the lie, and surely you would not have 
him stand meekly by and say, you are another?” 

“No, I would not. Only for his sake I wish it 
could have been avoided.” 

“Ah, I knew the Puritan blood that rode with 


THE WAY TO WIN 281 

Cromwell and his Ironsides could be trusted by all 
the world to think right and to do right.” 

‘‘Well, I suppose I don’t know much about such 
matters. Was Dr. Hamilton injured in this unfor- 
tunate trouble?” 

‘‘No, he may have a bruise or two — mere trifles 
if he has them. When I saw him cantering along 
the street this morning he sat Hero as if he were 
just out of West Point.’ 

“How about Mr. Carson? I trust he is not seri- 
ously hurt?” 

“No, when you consider the offense. He was 
knocked down only twice, and by twice putting his 
eye in the way of Hamilton’s fist he got it hermet- 
ically sealed. I believe that is about all the dam- 
age he sustained. He will have business in his 
rooms or in the country for about a month. In the 
meantime, if you suffer you must be strong.” 

“Now, Uncle Gus, you are again talking non- 
sense. You know very well what I think of Mr. 
Carson. As a society gentleman he is perfect and 
I appreciate him, but I have never thought him 
adapted to the home life, and you know it.” 

“In this instance, Kate, I think the shot from 
your common-sense judgment knocks out the bull’s 
eye. But don’t forget, my dear girl, that at best 
when you go agleaning in the fields of Boaz you 
are only entering upon an experiment.” 

“There is a saying. Uncle Gus, that a man can’t 
get rich unless his wife is willing, and another that 
a man is what his wife makes him.” 

“Our every-day experience is against your the- 


282 THE WAY TO WIN 

ory, and our divorce courts tell a bad tale for 
woman’s influence if your sayings are to be taken 
as true. There are women who look upon mar- 
riage as a stepping-stone to reformation. Just how 
any woman can be so ignorant as to suppose that 
where the lover fails the husband will succeed, is 
beyond sane comprehension. Yet, the woods are 
full of just such creatures, who go on day after day 
and year after year trying the desperate experi- 
ment.” 

“Hope springs eternal in the human breast,” 
quoted Kate. 

“But the next line, Kate, tells the life story of 
many a sufferer — ‘Man never is but always to be 
blest.’ ” 


CHAPTER XXVI 


Acting on the suggestion of Grace, Hamilton 
let two weeks go by before he called upon Kate. 
In the meantime, Grace had left for New York, ac- 
companied by Dalzell, who had returned, saying 
that he had gone through his examination and had 
won first prize, which would be turned over to him 
in about two months. The return of Dalzell, odor- 
ous with the perfumes of paradise, quickened Ham- 
ilton’s desire to see Kate. When he called he 
found her entertaining a gentleman who was intro- 
duced to him as Mr. Percy from California. After 
the introduction, Mr. Percy, ignoring the presence 
of Hamilton, continued the conversation with 
Kate about men and things that she and he had 
seen in California. Hamilton could only sit and 
listen. Mr. Percy had a never-failing flow of 
words, but he was an utter stranger as to what 
the word conversation means. His idea of con- 
versation was to have some one sit quietly and 
listen to what Mr. Percy had seen, or heard, or 
done. In the hope of bringing on a general con- 
versation, Kate asked him for his experience in 
Congress. So it came out that he was a member 
of the lower house. He seemed to have no thought 
of measures, but began to talk of men, their char- 


283 


284 the way to win 

acter, their foibles, their peculiarities, and to flood 
the room with anecdotes. He belonged to the Re- 
publican party — he did — and outside of that party 
there was to be found neither wisdom nor pa- 
triotism. He had contributed to its success and its 
power. He intimated that he had a share in direct- 
ing the administration of the government, for he 
had given some valuable suggestions to the Presi- 
dent. He was about to take control of the govern- 
ment, when Hamilton received a summons to his 
office. His relief was beatific, and akin to that 
which the weary pilgrim must feel when passing 
within the pearly gates. 

Disgusted with the outcome of his effort to see 
Kate, he devoted himself for several days to his 
professional business. But deep down in his heart 
he could hear the song that mother Eve set agoing 
in the garden, which has come floating down to 
us through the centuries, just as new and just as 
pure and just as sweet as were the first notes that 
stirred the sleeping Adam on the morn of her crea- 
tion. Yielding to the music, he again called on 
Kate. To his dismay, he found Mr. Percy in com- 
mand of the room and at the floodtide of words. 
As he entered, Kate said: 

“Dr. Hamilton, I am glad to see you. Mr. 
Percy and I are starting on a tour of Europe and 
the East generally, and we will be delighted to 
have you bear us company.” 

“Thank you. Miss Kate. I could think of no 
greater pleasure than a tour with you through the 


THE WAY TO WIN 285 

old world, and to visit with you its living wonders 
and its decaying ruins shrouded with beauty.” 

“Ah,” said Percy, “I infer that you have crossed 
the pond. No man’s education is complete who 
hasn’t crossed the pond,” and he got himself afloat 
again. 

He got lost In a London fog — he stood on the 
bridge and saw the Thames, it wasn’t much of a 
stream and could not compare with some of our 
Western rivers — he visited the lakes in Scotland, 
but saw only small sheets of water — he stumbled 
on Kenilworth, but there was nothing worth see- 
ing, only a pile of rubbish — he had a gay time on 
the boulevards of Paris and the cafe was just the 
place for the gods. The carnival at Rome was 
glorious. Venice Is built on islands and the people 
go about In boats. He had gone up the Nile and 
was just about to get a glimpse of the Sphinx and 
the Pyramids, when Dr. Blake, passing the door, 
called out: 

“Hello, Hamilton, come to the library. I want 
to see you.” As Hamilton entered the library. 
Dr. Blake said: 

“Sit down. I only wanted to do you a kind- 
ness.” 

Hamilton sat down and turned to him v/Ith a 
look of expectancy. Dr. Blake was indulging In a 
quiet laugh as he remarked: 

“You must be hard to satisfy, Hamilton. What 
more do you expect? Haven’t I already conferred 
an unspeakable kindness when I took you from 


286 THE WAY TO WIN 

under the cataract of words and downpour of plati- 
tudes.” 

Hamilton joined In the laugh, saying: 

“Who asks for a greater must leave hope be- 
hind ! But you must have had an experience and I 
long to hear It.” 

“Well, yes, I met the gentleman, and — suffered. 
I tell you if I were given the choice of a day in his 
company or suicide — the coroner would get a job. 
I think Shakespeare must have been thinking of 
the gentleman when he said, ‘The fool has planted 
his memory with an army of words’ ; and, yet, the 
man Is not a fool. Well, it came about in this way. 
I was walking on the piazza late in the afternoon, 
when the gentleman from California came to the 
stoop. He presented his card to me and I pre- 
sented him with my name. He asked for Kate. I 
told him she had gone out shopping, but she would 
be back in the course of a half hour, and I unwit- 
tingly asked him to come in and await her return. 
He acted on the suggestion, and of course It de- 
volved on me to entertain the gentleman from Cal- 
ifornia until she came. We went into the parlor 
and made ourselves comfortable. I naturally sup- 
posed I could make the time pass pleasantly until 
Kate could get in from her inspection of hats and 
ribbons, laces and gloves, and silks and satins — but 
I didn’t make proper time allowance for gossip 
with Ada and Inez, with whom she met. We got 
along fairly well iFor some fifteen minutes, and 
much after the manner of strangers who have met 
for the first time. In my effort to make conversa- 


THE WAY TO WIN 287 

tion I was so unfortunate as to make an adverse 
remark relative to the policy of the administration 
in its dealings with trusts, and — lo ! — I found I 
had a live member of Congress on my hands. 
7 'hen and there he took the conversational bit inhis 
teeth and ran away with the congressional wagon. 
I swung on to the reins, but soon found that 1 had 
lost all control. Never in my life have I been so 
drenched with a stream of words. I tried several 
times to dam the flood and divert its course, but the 
boy that stood on the bank waiting for the river to 
flow by that he might cross dry shod to the other 
side was an emblem of wisdom compared to my 
feeble efforts. The deluge had lasted for about 
an hour, when Kate came in. I fled to my room in 
a state of nervous prostration, and — ” 

“Took a restorative,” interjected Hamilton. 

“Right, you are; and I am pleased to see that 
you have a genial recollection of the remedy.” 

“But you must admit. Doctor, that he is a good 
talker, even if you did not enjoy his lecture.” 

“Lecture ! Why, Hamilton, a lecture calls for a 
subject and some continuity of thought. That fel- 
low can talk only of what he has seen or heard. He 
is made up of fragments , — disjecta membra , — and 
he can get to one thing from another with a speed 
that puts to naught the flight of the humming-bird. 
Thought enough to beget an original idea would 
give that man congestion of the brain. In style 
and diction, as you suggest, he is above the aver- 
age. But the quantity! The quantity! And, I 
might add, that he sometimes drops into slang.” 


288 THE WAY TO WIN 

“I didn’t know that you objected to slang,” said 
Hamilton. 

“Maybe I do and maybe I don’t. It depends 
upon the person using It.” 

“Ah ! I perceive, and I think I understand.” 

“Which proves, Hamilton, that what I have said 
of you Is true — that you are a man of rare Intelli- 
gence. 

“However, I almost like the fellow for the stab 
about the fifth rib he unwittingly gave Dick. When 
he got up to go to his hotel It was about time to turn 
on the lights, and Kate asked him to stay for sup- 
per — Kate calls It dinner; there’s nothing In a 
name, so the spread Is satisfactory. He accepted. 
In the dining-room he met Dick, who managed to 
exchange a few words with him. But soon the tide 
of words was at the flood again and the Cali- 
fornian was doing all the talking. Now and then 
Kate would get In a word — you can’t shut a woman 
out, you know, and she will have her Innings and 
say something even If It Is nothing, but she didn’t 
get much encouragement. Dick was much amused, 
and now and then I could catch his eye brimming 
with fun. Before the regulation hour was over he 
told an anecdote which I enjoyed at Dick’s expense. 
Dick being a judge must have suggested It. He 
had a lawyer friend, Pringle by name, who had de- 
voted much time and labor on a case of consider- 
able Importance In the United States Circuit Court. 
When It came on for trial It was decided against 
him. He appealed to the Supreme Court at Wash- 
ington. At the right time Pringle went to Wash- 


THE WAY TO WIN 289 

ington, and on call of the case he rose, made a 
statement of the case, and entered on his argument. 
When he began the argument the Justices looked 
down, seized their pens, and began to write. 
Pringle stopped. The Justices looked up. Pringle 
began again and the Justices went to writing again. 
The parties went through this show a third time, 
when Pringle said: ‘Your Honors, the case at bar 
is one of many difficulties and involving nice legal 
distinctions. I have devoted two years of study to 
it, and I am satisfied that I know more about it 
than any living man. I have come three thousand 
miles, and at no little expense, to discuss my legal 
views of this case, and I will be grateful to your 
Honors if you will grant me a patient hearing.’ 
One of the Justices blurted out, ‘Mr. Pringle, we 
listened with care to your statement of the case and 
you must take it for granted that we know some 
law.’ ‘Ah, your Honor,’ said Pringle, ‘that is just 
the mistake I made below and I am not willing to 
repeat it.’ There was a smile as broad as the 
bench and he received undivided attention. Since 
that night, however, when I find myself about to 
meet Mr. Percy on the street I realize that I have 
forgotten something and turn back to find it in the 
first good hiding-place.” 

“What do you know about him. Doctor, and 
what business has he here?” 

“As to his business here, I suspect that Kate can 
tell you more about that than I can, if she is willing 
to talk. The little that I know about him I got 
from Carson. By the way, I called to see Carson 


290 THE WAY TO WIN 

this morning and found him getting along beauti- 
fully — Mr. Percy had just left. It seems that he 
and Percy were together in Europe some two or 
three years ago. Carson says he is a millionaire, 
a good fellow, and the champion talker of the uni- 
verse. He is a novus homo, as our old friend 
Cicero would call him, and had no early advan- 
tages. His father was a poor man and a miner, 
but struck it rich, very rich, when his son was about 
eighteen years old. His father then undertook to 
educate him, but made the mistake of sending him 
to one of these third-rate colleges that turn out no 
scholars, but many degrees — M. A., D. D., LL. 
D. — in the effort to curry favor and bribe patron- 
age. Well, he is now a member of Congress, and 
if he had Kate for a wife I have no doubt he would 
cut a wide swath in Washington society.” 

“Doctor, I don’t think Miss Kate is for sale.” 

“Who knows? If there is anything impossible 
to predict, it is a woman’s choice in matters matri- 
monial. A million dollars, twined about with con- 
gressional honors, is a bait so tempting that few 
will resist.” 

Hamilton was silent for a minute, then rose and 
said something about being tired after his day’s 
work; that he would go to his rooms and try to 
get a good night’s sleep. Dr. Blake leaned back 
in his chair and indulged in a quiet laugh. Talking 
to himself, he said: 

“There are many kinds of fools, but of all fools, 
commend me to the man that is thoroughly in love 
with a woman. He is entitled to the prize — there 


THE WAY TO WIN 291 

he is as blind as a bat at midday. Hamilton, how- 
ever, ought to be kicked. Strange, he didn’t find 
out he was tired before he came here. He will 
spend the night in chewing the cud I have given 
him, and in the morning he will complain of in- 
somnia. Kate has about as much notion of marry- 
ing that walking dictionary as I have of preaching 
the gospel in Thibet — well I haven’t thought of it.” 

The afternoon following, Hamilton met Kate 
walking with Mr. Percy near the First National 
Bank. Lifting his hat and bowing, he was passing 
when Kate stopped him with the remark: 

“Dr. Hamilton, I leave for New York tomor- 
row. If you will give me a message to your 
friends it will add to the pleasure of the trip.” 

“This is rather sudden, is it not? I thought you 
had arranged to go with Livingstone?” 

“So I had, but I have received a most urgent 
letter from Grace begging me to come and fill the 
position of general help. It is only three weeks, 
you know, until she becomes Madam Dalzell, and 
that time will quickly pass.” 

“As to you and Miss Grace, I have no doubt that 
it will, for, between your preparations and your 
confidences, time will not hang heavy on your 
hands. I am sorry that you didn’t post me in time 
to frame some excuse for seeing you as far as Chi- 
cago or even farther. I fear you will weary of 
your long journey with no one but yourself for 
company. I forget who it was, but some one has 
said, ‘When alone we are in bad company.’ ” 


292 THE WAY TO WIN 

“I should think it very easy to frame an excuse,” 
put in Mr. Percy. It seems to me that the lady 
herself offers the very best excuse.” 

‘‘My experience and observation teach me that 
an excuse is never wanting when we really wish a 
thing,” said Kate. ‘‘However, I will not be alone, 
as Mr. Percy will accompany me as far as Wash- 
ington. From there to New York the journey is 
short, and I will telegraph Grace to meet me on 
my arrival. So, if you feel like an outing, turn 
everything over to Dr. Livingstone and go with 
us all the way, if you can get your consent.” 

‘‘No, my place is here. As to Livingstone, I 
fear that Inez has got him into such a state of mind 
that I cannot trust him with our business — he 
might neglect it.” 

‘‘Oh, I hope it is not so bad as that,” said Kate. 
Dr. Livingstone seems to me to be very sensible in 
all that he says and does. He makes no effort to 
conceal his preference for Inez. She fought a lit- 
tle shy at first, but I believe she begins to like 
the situation. He has conducted the siege with a 
skill that would command the admiration of Vau- 
ban, and by perseverance and gradual approaches 
he has succeeded in running his parallels danger- 
ously near the fortress. The flag of truce is often 
flying, and I take it for granted that the frequent 
parleyings betray the weakness of the defense and 
that Inez is meditating an unconditional surren- 
der.” 

“Are you talking about Miss Dalzell?” asked 


THE WAY TO WIN 293 

Mr. Percy. “If you are, I consider Mr. Living- 
stone a most fortunate man.” 

“Who knows?” said Hamilton. “Of all the 
earthly blessings, blindness to the future is great- 
est and the best.” 

“The snarl of the cynic is not becoming to Dr. 
Hamilton,” put in Kate, “because it is foreign to 
his nature.” 

“Again, who knows? It is the part of art to 
conceal nature, and appearances are often decep- 
tive and misleading. Costly clothes do not make 
the gentleman. A cynic may wear a smiling face, 
but, as he is more to be feared than desired, I will 
leave you with the wish that your journey to New 
York may be both pleasant and prosperous.” 

Kate’s eyes widened as she looked him full in the 
face and said: 

“Dr. Hamilton, you forget that it was I that 
stopped you in the hope of being the bearer of 
pleasant messages to the friends at your child- 
hood’s home, and I little thought that I was over- 
stepping the bounds of courteous friendship.” 

“I beg forgiveness. Miss Kate, and admit that 
I merit your rebuke. To err is human — you know 
the rest. Please say to my old friends that I have 
many fond recollections of them stored away in 
the lumber-room of memory and that they are ever 
with me. Tell them anything good that you may 
have heard of me, only, I forewarn you, that in 
the telling you may damage your reputation for 
veracity.” 


294 the way to win 

As they turned away, Mr. Percy asked: 

“What is the matter with that man?” 

“Nothing more than is common, answered Kate. 
“Like most men of my acquaintance, he is troubled 
with a diseased imagination and is sadly in need of 
a large dose of perceptive powders.” 


CHAPTER XXVII 


The ceremony that made Grace the wife of Dal- 
zell had been performed and the wedding party 
had returned in due time to Denver. A day of 
rest was given, to be followed the next evening by 
a reception at the Dalzell mansion. Hamilton 
arrived late, to find the premises afloat in light. 
He quickly made his W'ay to the center of the room, 
where Grace was standing, surrounded by congrat- 
ulating friends. As he came up, she gave him her 
hand with the remark: 

“You are late as usual. A bad habit and one 
that would have lost you your dinner with Na- 
poleon. My first impulse was to punish you for 
not meeting us at the depot. But I knew you 
would fall back on that ancient excuse, hoary with 
age, of business before pleasure, and I have con- 
cluded to forgive you for the days of auld lang 
syne.” 

“Thank you ! I am delighted to see that you arc 
a follower of Talleyrand. You know he says that 
first impulses are best, but for that very reason 
they ought not to be carried out.” 

“I am sorry to see that you are so well read in 
Talleyrandic lore. If I followed a suggestion of 
that scamp, I assure you I did so without knowl- 


295 


296 THE WAY TO WIN 

edge. I look upon him as the greatest of frauds, 
and what he ever did to give him a respectable 
niche in Memory’s Hall, I have never been able to 
learn. A libertine in a cassock, a hypocrite under a 
cowl, a terrorist and a hanger-on of kings, a traitor 
to all parties, a wit without humor, a statesman 
without a conviction, a mere vane to point the 
shiftings of political currents — ” 

“Hold on, Grace, what’s the matter here?” 
broke in Dr. Blake. “Are you not exercising your 
matrimonial privileges a little early and beyond 
your bailiwick? You seem to be hectoring Ham- 
ilton with a vengeance. What has he been doing 
to awaken your matrimonial ire? He looks like 
a boy that has been caught poaching in the pantry 
and forced to stand in the corner as a punish- 
ment.” 

“He had the impudence to compare me with 
Talleyrand, the greatest scoundrel of the age; and, 
while I haven’t whipped him, his looks show that 
he richly merits the rod.” 

“I am certainly cornered, and if I haven’t been 
whipped I have been fearfully lashed with woman’s 
most formidable weapon. As to my looks, they 
are merely those of sympathy for the future of 
Dalzell.” ^ 

“What is that I hear about whippings, and lash- 
ings, and formidable weapons?” exclaimed Ada, 
joining the circle around Grace. 

“Oh, a few of us who agree in sentiment,” said 
Dr. Blake, with a twinkle in his eye, “were merely 
having a little side chat, discussing the great sue- 


THE WAY TO WIN 297 

cess of Grant in whipping the rebels into a patriotic 
love of country. It was not intended for your ears, 
but you know the old saying about eavesdroppers. 
Now, we don’t want any fireworks here to-night, 
Ada, so we will change the subject. 

“Grace, you haye no idea how Ada has been 
carrying on during your absence. A fellow has 
been out here in constant attendance upon her for a 
month. He went home only a few days ago. He 
spent the days in guiding her about the city and 
feeding her on fancy candy. He spent so much of 
the nights with her that he caused a row about the 
gas bill. Come, Ada, tell us all about it.” 

“Dr. Blake, did you ever hear — ” 

“No, I never did hear the like,” he interrupted; 
“for when you begin that way I am in trouble.” 

“Well, did you ever hear of your fellow-country- 
man — he was possibly a kinsman of yours — who, 
immediately after the war, rushed down South to 
rejoice with the newly emancipated? I also heard 
that he hoped to fill his carpetbag, but that no 
doubt was a slander. He knew all about the negro, 
because he had read Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the most 
truthful of stories and one that made known the 
inner life of the South with all the accuracy that 
the Arabian Nights revealed that of the Orient. 
He was a suggestion of linked sweetness long 
drawn out, and he had the appearance of having 
been brought up on Boston beans and wooden nut- 
megs. He was a walking magazine of interroga- 
tion points, and he exploded with every oppor- 
tunity, like a bunch of fire-crackers. He was the 


298 THE WAY TO WIN 

genuine article with a melodious utterance that sug- 
gested the crushing of pebbles. Well, this kins- 
man of yours landed in a Southern town during 
the night, and was out early the next morning to 
regale himself among the new-blown and odorous 
flowers that had recently unfolded themselves in 
the garden of liberty. As he was winding about, 
here and there, he met with a bare-foot scholar 
that had just returned from Grant’s school of in- 
struction where he had been filled full of love of 
country by shot and shell. Yank promptly called 
out, ‘Good morning, sir,” and bare-foot, as he 
went swinging along the street, answered, ‘Morn- 
ing.’ ‘I say, I see you are bare-footed; is that the 
custom about here?’ Bare-foot stopped, looked 
his man over, took his measure, and with a grin 
replied, ‘Wall, now, maybe some on us does, but 
most of us down in these parts tends to his own 
business.’ ” 

Amid merriment. Dr. Blake said: 

“And that you intend as an answer to the ques- 
tion of loving friends ?” 

“Dr. Blake is a wise interpreter.” 

“Good evening. Dr. Hamilton,” said Kate, as 
she walked up in company with Dalzell. “Uncle 
Gus, are you and Ada quarreling? You are cer- 
tainly the most obtuse pupil I have ever had. Ada 
is the same as a member of our family, and I have 
told you, time and again, that family quarrels are 
respectable only when conducted in the greatest 
privacy.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 299 

“And how about the school-marm that wields 
her ferrule in public?” 

“Let him alone, Miss Kate,” said Hamilton. 
“He isn’t even bright enough to learn in the school 
of experience. Dalzell, my friend, allow me to 
congratulate you on becoming a benedict, and to 
say that you have drawn the capital prize in the 
matrimonial lottery.” 

“Your judgment, Hamilton, is unerring and 
your taste deliciously delicate. Who was it? — 
Wordsworth, I believe, — who said, ‘A perfect 
woman, nobly planned — ” 

“That,” interrupted Hamilton, “may be classic, 
but, like et tti, Brute, is somewhat worn. I prefer 
what Burke said of his wife.” 

“And what did Burke say?” asked Kate. 

“He said he never had an outside care that 
didn’t fall away and disappear as he crossed the 
threshold of his home.” 

“How do you know what Burke meant?” put in 
Dr. Blake. “I consider the remark equivocal. I 
have no doubt that many a poor devil of a hus- 
band can say as much. I feel certain that old Soc- 
rates could have said the same in all truth, and it 
may be that Dalzell will be able to tell you all 
about it in a twelve-month.” 

“If any man deserves a Xantippe, that man is 
Dr. Blake. I don’t intend to stand here and sub- 
mit to any such insinuations,” said Grace. Dr. 
Hamilton, will you take me to the library and away 
from this Momus?” 


300 THE WAY TO WIN 

“Stay, Grace, stay a minute and hear me for my 
cause — In poetry.” 

“Is Dr. Blake among the vates? Go on, and I 
will be silent that I may hear.” 

Dr. Blake then, with true pathos, repeated: 

“ ‘We have careful thoughts for the stranger, 

And smiles for the sometimes guest; 

But oft for our own 
The bitter tone, 

Though we love our own the best.’ ” 

Grace, glancing at Dalzell, playfully put her 
fingers to her lips, blew through them toward Dr. 
Blake, and said: 

“Uncle Gus, if I had one that I could spare, I 
would give it to you for quoting those lines. Do 
you know they were written by a woman?” 

“Of course they were written by a woman. 
Isn’t she trying to excuse her morning temper? 
Listen to the opening lines: 

“ ‘If I had only known in the morning 
How, wearily all the day. 

The words unkind 
Would trouble my mind 
I said when you went away; 

I had been more careful, darling — ’ ” 

“Shame on you. Dr. Blake! That Is a heart 
poem, and the man who can mar its music has no 
more sentiment than a grindstone. Come on. Dr. 
Hamilton, I am going. I am afraid of such a 
man.” 

On reaching the library Hamilton said: 


THE WAY TO WIN 301 

“Now, tell me all about your marriage and 
something about the friends who were present.” 

“All marriages are pretty much alike, as far as 
my observation goes. We had a preacher, of 
course. He went through the customary ceremony 
and asked the usual questions, to all of which I 
agreed with a mental reservation. I suppose the 
preacher got his fee, and judging from his flow of 
humor it must have been a good one. We had 
some relatives present and some special friends. 
I'here were the usual empty congratulations and 
the usual supply of silly compliments. I suspect 
there were the usual criticisms, and I have no doubt 
that some of my very dear friends were greatly 
surprised that I should throw myself away upon a 
Western hoosier. I believe there was something 
to eat. Now, I think of it, I know there was, for 
the invited guests refused to disperse until they 
had discussed the table comforts, eyed the cut 
glass, handled the silver and inspected the wedding 
presents. But you are familiar with such occasions. 
They only differ in degree, and I had rather talk 
about our New York friends and their doings. 

After they had been talking for quite a while, 
Grace asked: 

“Has Dr. Livingstone told you of his monumen- 
tal impudence and how Inez met it?” 

“Livingstone impudent to Inez? You astound 
me ! You must be jesting ! He has told me noth- 
ing. He seemed very much exhausted from his 
trip and I have hardly had a minute’s leisure since 
his return, so that we have had very little conver- 


302 THE WAY TO WIN 

sation, and that little only on general topics. Tell 
me about it.” 

“I will do so and you can judge for yourself. 
After the marriage, father insisted that we should 
stay with him two or three days, and — recuperate 
as he calls it. To tell the truth, I was more than 
willing, for I was very much worn after the prepa- 
ration, the excitements and worries incident to 
such occasions. It was the third night after the 
marriage and we were to leave the next morning. 
Father is an early-to-bed man. Kate, complaining 
of a headach-e, had gone to her room, leaving Mr. 
Dalzell, Dr. Livingstone, Inez and myself below 
engaged in conversation. After a time, and I sup- 
pose it was natural under the circumstances, we 
found ourselves talking about courtships, love-mak- 
ing, marriage proposals and their manner. Sev- 
eral amusing incidents had been told, which we all 
enjoyed, when Inez remarked that she didn’t have 
much respect for a timid man — he might be a pleas- 
ant acquaintance and a good fellow, but it showed 
a want of decision, an important element in char- 
acter and very essential to success. She believed 
any man worth marrying, if he really loved a 
woman, would not hesitate to tell her so and ask 
her to put her hand in his for the journey of life. 
Dr. Livingstone was sitting next to Inez, and 
scarcely had she concluded, when he stretched forth 
his open palm and said, ‘Miss Inez, I ask it for the 
journey of life !’ 

“You may talk of earthquakes and claps of 
thunder from cloudless skies, but nothing could 


THE WAY TO WIN 303 

equal the shock. Mr. Dalzell and I were speech- 
less and almost breathless. We could only look 
on and await results. It is impossible to conceive 
of the overwhelming confusion of Inez. For a 
moment her eyes were ablaze and her face aflame. 
She sprang to her feet and I thought she would 
rush from the 'room. Dr. Livingstone was very 
pale, but he rose up and confronted her with his 
outstretched palm. She hestitated, and you know 
what Addison says of the woman w’ho deliberates. 
She looked around at Mr. Dalzell and me in a kind 
of helpless, childish way, then looked at Dr. Living- 
stone, and then — with an hysterical laugh, she 
placed her hand in his, sank back in her chair and 
hid her face in her hands. 

“Mr. Dalzell went to her, put his arm around 
her, and with his hand under her chin he lifted her 
face up and kissed her, saying, ‘My sweet sister, 
you are a brave little woman. None but a brave, 
honest woman could have gone through so trying 
an ordeal!’ ‘Oh, Alberti’ exclaimed Inez, ‘I sur- 
rendered unconditionally and I am so ashamed of 
myself! But it was such a surprise! — and then, 
I suppose his astounding impudence deserved some 
reward!’ As she said this, I rushed in and was 
giving her a kiss and a hug, when I happened to 
look up and saw Dr. Livingstone still standing, 
and with all the appearance, as I thought, of a 
hungry man invited to a feast, but who was per- 
mitted to look only at the viands. I was amused, 
and laughing at him I said, ‘Why are you standing 
there? You look, for all the world, like a great. 


304 THE WAY TO WIN 

awkward schoolboy called up for correction. Sit 
down !’ What do you suppose was his answer?” 

“I haven’t the slightest idea, but I hope he was 
equal to the occasion.” 

‘‘No, you would never guess. His answer was, 
‘I am waiting to see, and wondering if there will be 
enough of her to go round.’ ” 

Hamilton was shaking with merriment, but man- 
aged to blurt out: 

“Three cheers and a tiger for Sid! I know 
that he is irrepressible when he gets himself going 
and in full swing. He really excelled himself. It 
was magnificent, and how I would have enjoyed it 
had I been present.” 

“But did you ever hear of such colossal impu- 
dence I I threatened him with the policeman un- 
less he mended his manners. 

“By this time Inez had recovered herself, and 
joined me in saying: 

“ ‘Yes, send for the policeman and let him sub- 
side into his natural self in the station-house. He 
ought to be punished for taking advantage of an 
innocent and unsuspecting girl and shocking her 
out of her senses. He must be punished, and he 
shall be, if I have to get my mother to enter an 
objection on the ground that I was irresponsible at 
the time, and — ’ 

“But,” interrupted Dr. Hamilton, “did Dalzell 
have nothing to say to Livingstone?” 

“Oh, yes, he indulged in some masculine compli- 
mentary nonsense about his strategy surpassing 
that of the Italian campaign — his daring exceeding 


THE WAY TO WIN 305 

that of the Little Corporal at Lodi — and that, un- 
der the eye of Napoleon, it would have won a 
marshal’s baton, and some more idiotic rubbish of 
that character. 

“Now that I have told you about my marriage. 
Its incidents and accidents, and the acting and do- 
ings of our old New York set, you must post me 
as to what has been going on here in Denver during 
my absence.” 

“I have been too busy for society, and I have at- 
tended only one or two functions since you left us, 
which is an Indirect way of telling you that I am 
lamentably ignorant of all you want to know. 
There have been no marriages, no elopements, or 
scandals, so far as I know. Van Tromp Is going 
to marry his German sweetheart and he will be a 
benedict before many moons. At present she is 
only on the outer edge of our set, but when he 
brings her in she will prove quite an addition. A 
woman, you know, rises or falls to the level of her 
husband. She Is here to-night, and I hope, for Van 
Tromp’s sake, you will give her attention.” 

“I have met her and I shall give her attention 
for her own sake. Mr. Dalzell is fond of her and 
speaks of her in high terms. But go on with your 
report.” 

“Well, I did watch Inez and Sid, until they went 
to New York, In the hope of having something 
to report to you, but it seems that you have got 
ahead of me in that affair. Of course Miss Kate 
and Inez have told you all the feminine gossip, and 
there you are much better Informed than I am.” 


3o6 the way to win 

“For once you are right. A woman can see 
more and hear more in an hour than a man can in 
a day.” 

“And by always telling all they see and all they 
hear, they have no trouble in remembering it for 
the next comer.” 

“Certainly, why not? A woman is never sel- 
fish with her knowledge. Such an aspiration we 
leave to you Lords of Creation. And yet, I notice 
that the wisest and the best of you enjoy a dish of 
gossip with all the zest of feminine weakness. In 
fact, the real difference between us is, the w’omen 
are honest and the men are a set of frauds. But 
tell me all about yourself. What have you been 
doing?’ 

“Well, I have been busy trying to complete the 
sanitarium; and I have performed several beauti- 
ful and delicate operations since I saw you. Would 
you like to have the particulars?” 

“What a question! No, you can keep your 
knives and your saws and your bloody bones for 
your own private entertainment. You know very 
well to what I refer. You have not forgotten that 
just before I left for New York I took you under 
my special care and gave you certain prescriptions 
for your ailments. Now I want to hear results.” 

“I remember that you fed me on a few rain- 
bows, but I am sorry to report that the diet was 
very disappointing. It was without nourishment 
and proved to be very unsubstantial and most un- 
reliable.” 

“The prescription is all right, as I know from 


THE WAY TO WIN 307 

experience, but you are not a trustworthy patient, 
and I believe you failed to follow instructions. The 
remedy I prescribed is a certain cure unless I failed 
to locate the disease. This sometimes, as you can 
readily recall, does happen, and since talking with, 
or rather at, Kate, I incline to the opinion that I 
did mistake the affected organ and that your trou- 
ble is splenetic.” 

“What did Miss Kate tell you about me?” 

“Would you really like to know?” 

“Anything that she may say is always a matter 
of interest to me.” 

“Really? Well, she had nothing to say, and for 
that reason I knew you had not followed my in- 
structions. We were together only a few days, 
and in the hurly-burly of wedding preparations we 
had very little private conversation. The only 
gentleman she seemed disposed to talk about was 
Mr. Percy, who had been visiting in Denver. Did 
you meet him while he was in the city?” 

Grace asked the question in the most indifferent 
manner, and as she asked it she seemingly lifted 
her hand to hide a yawn, but she had an eye on 
Hamilton all the time. 

“Yes,” said Hamilton, “it was impossible to 
avoid him. He was all over the town and every- 
where else. There was no escaping him.” 

“Where did he come from and what kind of a 
man is he ?” 

“He came from California — but why do you 
ask me these questions?” 

“In the first place, because I want to know. In 


3o8 the way to win 

the second place, while you are weak when it comes 
to women, I have great confidence in your judg- 
ment of men.” 

‘‘Did your friend Kate not tell you all about 
him?” 

‘‘She talked about him, more or less, but I had 
so many things on my mind at the time that what 
she said made very little impression.” 

“Miss Grace, women don’t forget things of that 
nature.” 

“Ah! That is your opinion, is it? It may be 
that I have a shadowy recollection of what she 
said, but it is confused and unsatisfactory. It is 
your opinion of the man that I want, for I esteem 
you the best reader of men that I know. Why are 
you fighting shy of the question?” 

“Because I half-way suspect you of some mis- 
chief; that somewhere up your sleeve you have a 
concealed dagger. The strategy of a woman is 
deep, very deep, and past finding out.” 

“You are a suspicious ninny. Being a married 
woman, I can say what I please.” 

“You didn’t wait to get married to exercise that 
privilege.” 

“Well,” said Grace, “you are beyond me to- 
night and we will let the question go. But there 
can be no harm in telling what his business was in 
Denver. You can’t suspect me in asking that ques- 
tion.” 

“I was not in his confidence. If you will apply 
to your friend Kate I have no doubt she can fur- 
nish you with the desired information.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 309 

“What I Did he show Kate any special atten- 
tion?” 

“If following her everywhere that she went in 
the day-time and besieging her at her home in the 
night-time make marked attention — then, he 
showed her marked attention.’’ 

“You surprise me ! I had no idea he played the 
devoted so openly. It was too bad, and I shall 
give Kate a good scolding for not taking me into 
her confidence. Did you meet him when calling 
on Kate?” 

“I met him on two occasions, but found him in 
possession of the field and so strongly entrenched 
that I withdrew as soon as decency would permit.” 

“Why didn’t you dislodge the enemy?” 

“Miss Kate seemed to be satisfied and I had no 
right to make the effort. A lady’s preference 
should be respected.” 

“You don’t mean to say that Kate was giving 
him encouragement?” 

“I can’t say that, but I can say that I failed to 
see anything that indicated discouragement.” 

“Kate is familiar with the ways of society, and 
if she were not she is too true-hearted and lady- 
like to be discourteous and impolite in her home. 
As hostess she is never unmindful of duty.” 

“A millionaire and member of Congress is al- 
ways sure of courtesy and politeness whether at 
home or abroad. In fact, this is a combination 
that few women can resist.” 

Now, thought Grace within herself, we are get- 
ting down to the core of the trouble. 


310 THE WAY TO WIN 

“Is he cultured and entertaining in conversa- 
tion?” 

“He Is a man of fine appearance and there can 
be no objection to his general manners. His edu- 
cation Is evidently defective. He is a man of 
action rather than of learning. As to conversa- 
tion — he has no idea what the word means. In 
quantity it is a deluge.” 

“Now that we have been talking over the mat- 
ter,” said Grace, “I do recall a few things that 
Kate told me about him, and from what she said I 
am thoroughly convinced of one thing.” 

“Miss Grace, I would like to hear the fact of 
which you are convinced.” 

“You allow yourself to get excited and forget 
that I am no longer Miss Grace. Under the cir- 
cumstances, however, I will excuse you. Now to 
the fact of which I am convinced. It is this — that 
he has sense enough to understand his wants and 
courage enough to make them known. But we 
have lingered here quite a while. I am the bright 
particular star to-night, you know, and it will never 
do for me to absent myself too long from the com- 
pany. Come on, we must return to our friends and 
finish our confidences some other time.” 

“Stop, Grace, just a minute!” exclaimed Ham- 
ilton. “I want to know what It was that Miss 
Kate told you about Mr. Percy.” 

As she walked on, Grace called back, “Are you 
coming?” 

There was a smile of amusement on her face as 
she said, sotto voce: 


THE WAY TO WIN 31 1 

“Men are such funny animals. I wonder if it 
will ever occur to him that he did answer that ques- 
tion? He so richly deserved it, that I could not 
resist the temptation to give him a little dig with 
the dagger that he thought he saw up my sleeve — 
just a little dig to give him something to think 
about when he goes to his rooms and to remind 
him of the bed of roses that Cortez prepared for 
the Aztec.” 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


They found Livingstone conversing with Miss 
Seibert in German, discussing German literature 
in general and Goethe and Schiller in particular. 
Dr. Blake was circling the room and stirring up 
disputations and fun wherever he went. Van 
Tromp was arguing a question of science with Sue 
Maxwell; and Inez, like a good general, was keep- 
ing the whole field in view and giving assistance 
wherever interest seemed to wane. 

Hamilton joined her and moved with her for a 
time from group to group. He saw Dr. Blake 
ensconced In a corner, surrounded by Grace, Kate, 
and Ada. The conversation seemed to be ani- 
mated and it suited his purpose to let himself drift 
in that direction. As he approached them. Dr. 
Blake called out: 

“Come here, Hamilton, I have just entrusted to 
these sympathizing friends of mine a secret which 
they have not suspected — that as usual 1 am afflict- 
ed with despondency. I have asked for a remedy 
and I want you to hear what these female doctors 
will prescribe. Now, Ada, we will listen to your 
prescription.” 

“I have never been troubled with low spirits 
and I cannot advise from experience. In theory, I 


312 


THE WAY TO WIN 313 

would recommend a change of scenery and inter- 
course with congenial friends.” 

“As to scenery, Ada, everything looks yellow to 
the jaundiced eye. As to congeniality, I can’t con- 
ceive what possible help one low-spirited man 
would be to another suffering with the same trou- 
ble. If you had said a change of diet your pre- 
scription would have been worth considering. I 
think you must go to the foot of the class. Now 
Grace, we will hear you.” 

“I advise a trip to the East and yachting and 
sea breezes. I have heard that the breath of the 
sea is a tonic.” 

“Not so bad, Grace. The salt air is a tonic. 
But what about seasickness, with a touch of rheu- 
matism from the damp air? Well, Kate, it is your 
turn at the bat. Give us a specimen of your med- 
ical lore.” 

“Uncle Gus, I am too good a physician to pre- 
scribe medicine for a well man. When I feel de- 
spondent or discouraged I have a never-failing 
remedy, so far as I am concerned, and I have no 
objection to telling you what it is — horseback ex- 
ercise.” 

“There, I have known for some time that you 
are a little wrong above the eyebrows on that sub- 
ject, but surely you would not prescribe horseback 
exercise for me — afflicted as I am with age and the 
blues?” 

“I know of no reason why I should not prescribe 
it in your case. The remedy works like a charm 
with me, and why not with you?” 


314 the way to win 

“Quinine is a good remedy for chills, but some 
people cannot take it. But, my lady, it is easy to 
see through your little game. You have an idea 
that your name figures in Uncle Gus’s will and you 
are planning to give the old man a fall and a 
broken neck.” 

“Uncle Gus, the mettlesome swing of a beauti- 
ful horse pulling on the bit is the best of all tonics, 
and at the same time it is poetry in motion. Try it 
and be convinced.” 

“ ‘And the waves bound beneath me as a steed 
that knows his rider,’ quoted Hamilton. 

“That’s the idea,” exclaimed Kate. “I thank 
you. Doctor, for that quotation and I hope that you 
agree with me.” 

“Of course he does,” said Dr. Blake, “and if he 
is in low spirits every time he goes scampering on 
Hero about the city and through the country it is 
safe to say that such is his normal condition. Kate, 
can’t you give us, ‘My beautiful. My beautiful — ’ ” 

“No,” interrupted Kate. “That is Arabian 
nonsense and not to the point. But Grace Green- 
wood has written a little poem that fully expresses 
my feelings.” 

“I want to hear the poem that expresses the feel- 
ings of an enthusiast,” said Ada. “A poem of that 
order is very rare. Can’t you recite it for us? It 
must be afloat in all the colors of the rainbow.” 

“Please recite it, Kate,” was Grace’s added en- 
treaty. “I know that you excel in that line and 
that your rendering will add a charm to the poem.” 

“I will do nothing of the kind to-night,” said 


THE WAY TO WIN 315 

Kate; “I recite only in private and for the enter- 
tainment of special friends. Here it would be too 
much in the nature of public speaking, and I always 
have had great respect for the teachings of St. 
Paul. However, if it will satisfy you, I will re- 
peat to this corner audience for the benefit and in- 
struction of Uncle Gus.” 

Then in a low voice, well modulated and with 
perfect accent, she began: 

“ ‘When troubled in spirit, when weary of life, 

When I faint ’neath its burdens, and shrink from its strife. 
When its fruits, turned to ashes, are mocking my taste, 

And its faint scenes seem but a desolate waste. 

Then come not near me, my sad heart to cheer, 

With friendship’s soft accent or sympathy’s tear; 

No pity I ask and no counsel I need. 

But bring me, oh, bring me my gallant young steed. 

With his high arched neck, and his nostrils spread wide. 

His eye full of fire, and his steps full of pride. 

As I spring to his back, as I seize the strong rein. 

The strength to my spirits returneth again ; 

The bands are all broken that fettered my mind. 

And my cares borne away on the wings of the wind. 

My pride lifts its head, for a season bowed down. 

And the queen in my nature puts on her crown. 

Now we are off, like the winds to the plains whence they came. 
And the rapture of motion is thrilling my frame.’ ” 

“And then,” interrupted Dr. Blake, “the horse 
came near running into a creek — ” 

At the interruption, Hamilton, who had lost 
himself in the perfect rendering and in watching 
the play of Kate’s features, threw up his hand, and 
in a tone of marked annoyance exclaimed: 

“Oh, Doctor, how can you ! Do behave your- 
self and let Miss Kate finish.” 


3i6 the way to win 

But the Doctor gave no attention and continued : 

“Yes, he was about to get into the creek, but 
maanged to hold up, and galloped about for a 
time, kicking up pebbles — then he got away from 
the creek and pranced into a gulch, or canon, or 
some such place — when he got out of the gulch, 
he found himself on a flat stretch and badly mixed 
up with the underbrush — and then he came to a 
ditch, I believe there was a ditch; wasn’t there a 
ditch, Kate?’’ 

Kate seized the opportunity and, lifting her 
head in a queenly way, she gave the closing lines 
of the poem : 


“‘Ho, a ditch! Shall we pause? No; the bold leap we dare, 
Like a swift-winged arrow we rush through the air. 

Oh ! Not all the pleasures that poets may praise. 

Not the wildering waltz in the ballroom’s blaze, 

Nor the chivalrous joust, nor the daring race. 

Nor the swift regatta, nor merry chase. 

Nor the sail, high heaving waters o’er. 

Nor the rural dance on the moonlit shore. 

Can the wild and the thrilling joy exceed 
Of a fearless leap on a fiery steed.’ ” 

“Very fair jingling for a woman,” said Dr. 
Blake, “and I am not surprised that you horseback 
cranks call it poetry; but in my opinion Pegasus 
has never yet willingly submitted to a side saddle. 
Now, I don’t propose to be outdone in this thing 
you call poetry, and if you will listen I will give 
you something worth hearing — the genuine article 
and full of the divine afflatus — suited to the home 
and suggestive to Inez, whom I see coming.” 


THE WAY TO WIN 317 

“Dr. Blake flirting with the muses? Will won- 
ders never cease?” said Ada. 

“He has always been great on fiction, Ada, and 
that you know calls for imagination and makes it 
akin to poetry,” said Grace. 

“I am curious to know his taste in poetry,” was 
Hamilton’s remark. “Give him a chance and let 
him unbosom himself.” 

“Taste! Hamilton, you anticipate me — you 
must be a mind reader. Well I hope Inez will see 
the point and so — here goes: 

“ ‘We may live without poetry, music and art ; 

We may live without conscience and live without heart ; 

We may live without friends; we may live without books; 

But civilized man cannot live without cooks. 

We may live without books — what is knowledge but grieving? 

We may live without hope — what is hope but deceiving? 

We may live without love — what is passion but pining? 

But where is the man that can live without dining?' 

“There, that is both poetry and sense — a com- 
bination that looks to business. Inez, isn’t it about 
time to spread the festive board?” 

“I am here to announce the festive board; to 
pair you off and show you where to sit. I see Al- 
bert coming for Grace; Dr. Hamilton will see that 
Kate has attention, and Ada falls to Dr. Blake.” 

, Rising and bowing to Ada, he said : 

“Mine ancient, most respected and, as Napo- 
leon said of England, my most persistent enemy, 
let the bugles sing truce while we visit the delect- 
able land.” 

When they found themselves seated in a com- 


3i8 the way to win 

paratively secluded part of the room, Ada again 
opened the conversation by remarking: 

“Dr. Blake’s poetical quotation is from Owen 
Meredith, and I venture the assertion that it is 
the limit of his knowledge of all that author wrote. 
His literary taste is badly mixed with gastro- 
nomies.” 

“Yes, and only a man could make the subject 
poetical.” 

“I think you are mistaken. Doctor,” remarked 
Hamilton; for Lady Mary Montague left a speci- 
men superior to your text from Lucile. In my 
opinion it takes the prize on that subject.” 

“What, that woman with the dirty smock? Im- 
possible!” 

“Oh, the dirty smock was all in the imagination 
of that little stinging serpent. Pope,” said Kate. 
“He was envious and therefore jealous, and, like 
the Turk, could bear no brother near the throne.” 

“Well, in his day,” the Doctor replied, “he oc- 
cupied the throne and could hold out the sceptre 
to whom he would.” 

“At one time,” remarked Grace, “he was her 
personal and literary friend; but for some cause, 
unknown to me, they became estranged.” 

“The daughter of a duke, the wdfe of an earl, 
the wit and beauty of her day — she was a wonder- 
ful woman,” said Dalzell. “All and all, I doubt 
if she has her equal among modern women. The 
cause of her rupture with Pope has never been 
properly settled. One story is that he made love 
to her and she laughed at him. Another is that he 


THE WAY TO WIN 319 

wanted to kiss her and she slapped him In the 
face.” 

“And served the little hunchback right 1 ” ex- 
claimed Ada. 

“Granting that you are right, she ought never to 
have encouraged him, as she undoubtedly did. She 
ought not to have forgotten her own line — ‘He 
comes too near, that comes to be denied.’ ” 

“Pshaw!” said Dr. Blake, “let all that go. It 
Is all a dead Issue, and It Is a waste of time to be 
fooling round among dead Issues. Hamilton seems 
to think she wrote something worth listening to 
and I am all curiosity and attention.” 

“As you don’t seem to know much about her. 
Doctor, I will tell you, before giving It, that she 
lived nearly all of her life In the public eye. I feel 
certain It will please you, for It looks to the trench- 
er and boon companionship : 

“ ‘And when the long hours of the public are past 
And we meet with champagne and chicken, at last, 

May every fond pleasure that moments endear 
Be banished afar, both discretion and fear. 

Forgetting or scorning the airs of the crowd, 

He may cease to be formal and I to be proud. 

Till—’ ” 

“You must excuse me, Hamilton,” said Dr. 
Blake. “It Is delicious, but, with the many tempta- 
tions I see around me, I cannot wait and listen 
longer. It has been the rule of my life to meet 
temptations promptly. When I have come over 
and hidden away the many that now throng around 
me, I will be at your service even to the finish, be It 


320 


THE WAY TO WIN 

ever so long. If Lady Mary wrote those lines, she 
ought to have been seated on the throne beside 
Pope, and I don’t blame him for loving her and 
wanting to kiss her.” 

The conversation had run on for some time In a 
light and merry vein, when Kate interrupted with 
the remark: 

“Uncle Gus, I am not satisfied with your inti- 
mation that Lady Mary may possibly be the only 
exception to your general rule. What have you to 
say of Sappho? 

“Very little, Kate, for the very good reason 
that there Is very little of her left.” 

“Don’t evade the issue, but meet it fairly. 
Where does she rank among poets? Let us have 
your opinion.” 

“As I said, there Is hardly enough of her left to 
form an opinion. We have an ode to Venus which 
partakes of the Anacreon order. If I remember 
aright, and we have two or three fragments of 
something, but nobody knows what.” 

“Uncle Gus, If your literary taste was equal to 
your dodging ability, you would be beyond re- 
proach. You mistook your true calling In life — 
you ought to have devoted yourself to politics. In 
which you would have proved a great success, be- 
cause it Is simply impossible to corner you. She 
was held in high esteem by her contemporaries 
and ancient historians.” 

“All things when old are good, Kate. Looking 
back only a hundred years, we talk about the giants 
in those days, when we have just as good men and 


THE WAY TO WIN 321 

just as strong men now as were then playing their 
little parts on the arena of life. You have heard 
that no man is great to his own valet, — therein lies 
the explanation, — and I assure you that distance 
lends as much enchantment to the mental vision as 
it does to the physical vision.” 

“Of all wilfully perverse men, you head the list! 
I am not asking for your opinion, for I begin to 
suspect that you have no opinion to give, but I am 
asking for the opinion of her contemporaries — 
which brings me within your valet theory — and for 
the opinion of those who lived more immediately 
after her. If you know it, let us have it.” 

“I don’t know that we can put much faith in the 
opinion of those old fellows. They tell us wonder- 
ful stories about the wonderful exploits of one 
Hercules, and we all know that — ” 

“What about their opinion of Homer?” inter- 
rupted Kate. Didn’t they delight in his minstrelsy 
and proclaim him the poet?” 

“Oh, yes. Many marvelous stories come down 
from those old fellows. For instance, they tell us 
about a musician that sang and played so sweetly 
that the birds would stop in their flight, the streams 
in their courses, and the cattle upon a thousand 
hills would follow him to listen to the melody — 
but I have yet to meet with anybody that believes 
it.” 

“But hasn’t posterity confirmed the opinion that 
those old fellows, as you call them, entertained of 
Homer?” 


322 THE WAY TO WIN 

“Yes, and again you have found the exception 
to the rule.” 

“But the same old fellows called Sappho the 
Poetess and the Tenth Muse; what about that, 
Uncle Gus?” 

“Why was Sappho called the Poetess and the 
Tenth Muse? Well, I suppose there was some 
gallantry among those old boys, and as far as my 
acquaintance goes, she was the only woman of her 
day that attempted poetic scribbling, and it was 
very natural that she should be called the Poetess.” 

“Doctor,” said Hamilton, “you know her writ- 
ings were highly complimented by the ancient fa- 
thers. Solon was her contemporary, and, on 
hearing one of her odes recited, said he would not 
willingly die until he had committed it to memory. 
Longinus, in his treatise on the Sublime, cites pas- 
sages from Sappho, and Aristotle and Plutarch 
speak of her In the highest terms, and — ” 

“There, Hamilton, that will do. Please with- 
draw your heavy artillery — the concussion is dam- 
aging to digestion — and let me fight it out with 
these blue-stockings.” 

“And,” continued Hamilton, “she certainly had 
native genius, for she gave us the Sapphic measure, 
which has been followed by Horace and all lyric 
poets without improvement.” 

“That was in the nature of setting the fashion — 
that is woman’s world, and there her genius is tri- 
umphant. No sane man will make denial.” 

“Granting that your view of woman’s possibill- 


THE WAY TO WIN 323 

ties is correct, can you tell me,” asked Ada, “why 
the old boys represented the Muses as females?” 

“Because poetry is made up of the unreal, the 
unsubstantial, the imaginative, the volatile, the 
fanciful, and — feet.” 

“Let me congratulate you. Doctor, on your men- 
tal feat — the exertion must have been very onerous 
and almost crushing — that opened up to your 
darkened mind the knowledge that woman is not 
earthly, but ethereal in her nature, and that she 
really, yes, really has feet.” 

“Well, Ada, you blue-stockings may have it all 
your own way. In fact, I know very little about 
Sappho — almost nothing — and as she has been 
dead for some three thousand years I have no 
desire to form her acquaintance or to get up a 
flirtation with her. I believe she ended her poet- 
ical career by leading into the sea from the Luca- 
dian Rock, and if you callow literary fledglings of 
the female variety will only stop firing your air- 
guns at me I am more than willing for her to re- 
main in her briny bed — I have no disposition to 
resurrect her or to interfere with her sporting with 
the mermaids.” 

“Doctor,” said Dalzell, “you are again in er- 
ror. The island of Lesbos gave to the world two 
Sapphos — one of Mytelene and the other of 
Ereus, and you confound them.” 

“You are right, Dalzell, and again I say — con- 
found them. Haven’t I admitted that I knov/ 
nothing about the Sapphos? Haven’t I admitted 
that they are dead and that I want nothing to do 


324 THE WAY TO WIN 

with them? Haven’t I surrendered? But here 
you are enfilading me with double-banked artil- 
lery. Don’t you know it is disgraceful to fire on 
a flag of truce? Don’t — ” 

“Dr. Hamilton,” called Lawson from an ad- 
joining table, “Miss Percival will take wine with 
you.” 

Hamilton, apparently not hearing the call, 
turned to Grace as if continuing a conversation. 
But Lawson repeated the call, and louder than be- 
fore — so loud as to attract attention: 

“Dr. Hamilton, Miss Percival will take wine 
with you.” 

Miss Percival was an amiable, vivacious girl; 
rather pretty, and a friend to Hamilton, with 
whom she was on very pleasant terms. As Hamil-. 
ton lifted his head in answer to the second call of 
Lawson, he looked directly into her smiling face 
and eyes full of fun. She held in her uplifted hand 
a glass of wine, and playfully bowed in his direc- 
tion, to which he responded: 

“Miss Percival knows it would give me the 
greatest pleasure to comply with her every wish, 
and I know she is not aware of the fact that I 
hav^e foresworn wine and all of its adjuncts. If 
she will reverse the miriacle and change the wine 
into water I will be delighted to pledge her in 
friendship till death do us part.” 

“What,” exclaimed Lawson, in apparent great 
surprise, “will you publicly decline to take wine 
with a lady when she has requested it?” 

During this exchange of words, a startled look 


THE WAY TO WIN 325 

had crept into Miss Percival’s face. She returned 
the glass of wine to the table and said: 

“There is more in all this than I understand, 
and if I have been guilty of an indiscretion I beg 
pardon of Dr, Hamilton.” 

Inez, in passing, detected the trouble that was 
brewing and gave the signal for withdrawing. As 
they passed out, Dalzell said to Grace: 

“I want you to understand that Lawson is never 
again to be invited to this house. Hamilton, I 
congratulate you on your admirable control of 
temper under great provocation. What do you 
think. Dr. Blake?” 

“I know that Carson is traveling in Europe to 
repair his broken reputation as an athlete and for 
the benefit of his battered face. May he continue 
to do so for his country’s good. But I think he has 
left his emissary behind and that the scene to-night 
was Carson in disguise. That is what I think 
of it.” 

They had reached the drawing-room, — the oth- 
ers passed in, — but Hamilton paused and said to 
Kate : 

“I know it is a little early, but I must go to my 
den. I struggled to conceal my feelings and I 
hope with success, but the fact is I did feel keenly 
and still feel keenly the humiliation to which I was 
subjected. I have nothing in all the past to con- 
ceal, but it is irritating, almost beyond endurance, 
to have its errors and mistakes lugged into view 
upon occasions like the present. For the present, 
it has wholly unfitted me for society. Again, I 


326 THE WAY TO WIN 

have never had any desire to be the much observed, 
and that would be my unfortunate position for the 
balance of the night.” 

“I too would much rather go home than join 
in that babel of tongues. But I suppose I must go 
in and put on my brightest smiles and my company 
manners.” 

“Not at all! There is no necessity for you to 
wear a mask to-night. If you will only consent, 
it will give me a real pleasure to walk home with 
you — the reaction would soothe me and cause me 
to forget the scene of the past hour and rid me of 
my gloomy thoughts. Come, now, and act the part 
of the good Samaritan and pour the oil of kindness 
over my wounds and my bruises.” 

“If you will assure me that I was not bidding 
for it, I will consider your offer,” was Kate’s smil- 
ing reply. 

“Whoever dares to remotely intimate or suggest 
such a thing will find me resenting it with a resist- 
less resistance. You were only giving expressions 
to the feelings of a sensible woman, who thorough- 
ly understands the worth of the gatherings where 
Madame Grundy too often presides and who fully 
appreciates the restful retreat of her own happy 
home.” 

“I don’t care much if you do consider it a bid,” 
Kate said good humoredly, “for I do want to go 
home and I accept your offer. Before I go, how- 
ever, I must let Uncle Gus know and I must make 
my excuses to Inez for leaving so early. I wonder 
where I can find her?” 


THE WAY TO WIN 327 

“Hunt up Miss Inez and I will have the Doctor 
waiting for you when you return.” 

She was gone but a few minutes when she came 
back with her wraps : 

“Uncle Gus, I am leaving. I have excused my- 
self to Inez and I only want to see you and let 
you know that Dr. Hamilton will see me home.” 

Just at this moment Miss Percival was passing, 
and stopped to say: 

“Dr. Hamilton, I have talked over the events 
of to-night with my brother. He has told me 
things of which I had never heard. At the time 
he was in a distant part of the room and he was 
not aware of the trouble. On hearing it, he be- 
came very angry and I had great difficulty in per- 
suading him to let the matter rest. The desire to 
keep my name from the gossips alone influenced 
him. But I know now how deep was my offense 
and I entreat your forgiveness.” 

“Miss Percival, the innocent are never in need 
of forgiveness, and I know, as well as you do, that 
you are wholly innocent.” 

Hamilton was bidding Kate good night on the 
veranda, when she said: 

“Dr. Hamilton, before you leave, I have a re- 
quest to make of you.” 

“To make the request. Miss Kate, is to have it 
granted.” 

“It is that you will have nothing to say to Mr. 
Lawson about to-night’s trouble. I hope I am not 
making too large a request.” 

“So far as I am concerned. Miss Kate, the trou- 


328 THE WAY TO WIN 

ble is past and gone. I aspire to be a gentleman, 
and a gentleman is never vindictive. In making 
the issue on the occasion and in the manner that he 
did, I feel certain that he has hoisted himself with 
his own petard. Public opinion is the court to try 
the case, and when the court is on your side you 
had better keep still — the court will take care of 
itself.” 


CHAPTER XXIX 


A week has passed. The evening shadows were 
falling fast and Hamilton was preparing to leave 
his office, when his phone rang. Answering the 
call, he received the following message from Dr. 
Blake : 

“Ada, Grace, and Dalzell are here and we want 
you to come round and join us in the feast of 
reason and the flow of soul. For fear that kind 
of a collation may have no attraction for you, I 
will state that Kate expects to put us through a 
form of eating, as she intends to hand round some- 
thing in that line, which you know is just about the 
little end of nothing very much attenuated and 
badly frazzled. No danger of dyspepsia or indi- 
gestion from overeating. So come along and be in 
a hurry about it as we are waiting to divide all 
these good things with you.” 

When Hamilton was ushered into the receiving- 
room about an hour after the phone message, he 
found the party engaged in an animated conversa- 
tion. Dr. Blake interrupted it with the exclama- 
tion : 

“Here you are at last. I told you to hurry and 
you have been all of an hour rushing over the tire- 
some distance of six hundred yards. I am sur- 


329 


330 THE WAY TO WIN 

prised that you ever reach your patients before the 
post-mortem. In the sweet by and by I hope, by 
some hook or crook, you will manage to slip within 
the pearly gates, but I know you will be found at 
the rear end of the procession, and I fear the 
closing gates will rustle the feathers of your wings 
as you enter.” 

“You ought. Doctor, to give a gentleman time 
to make himself presentable — and — ” 

“Hamilton, a gentleman is always presentable, 
and you surprise me — ” 

“Uncle Gus,” interrupted Kate, “I protest 
against your further remark, and I make it in part 
for your protection. I fear you are venturing into 
terra incognita. You should confine yourself to 
subjects with which you are familiar, and you 
should always keep in mind that very appropriate 
saying — little boats should keep near the shore.” 

“Yes, and for years in and years out, and for 
many years, I have been hectored and bullied, 
brow-beaten and back-beaten, gimlet-bored and 
auger-bored by a certain young lady, called Kate 
Somers, who has persistently charged me with the 
manners of a barbarian because I now and then, 
in an unguarded moment, happened to interrupt 
another party when he was talking. To think my 
teacher should set such an example! I am over- 
come with mortification !” 

Grace was laughing as she asked: 

“What have you to say now, Kate, or are you 
dead upon the field of honor?” 

“But,” said Hamilton, “Doctor, you forget the 


THE WAY TO WIN 331 

courteous preliminary of en garde, and you ought 
to remember that, when we fence for exercise or 
entertainment, the point of the foil should be lost 
in the button.” 

“Very true, Hamilton, but wholly unnecessary 
when you are on the defensive and parrying the 
sharp thrust of your adversary. There is no shield 
so invulnerable as self-complacency. Achilles had 
his vulnerable spot, but Kate has none, and she 
knows she has an all conquering weapon that has 
never yet been blunted by defeat. You have heard 
of the Damascus blade of Saladin, and that the 
most feathery of silk handerkerchiefs, tossed into 
the air and allowed to flutter down and settle along 
its edge, did not rest upon it as it parted in twain. 
That blade is not comparable to the keenness of 
a woman’s tongue. By way of explanation. I had 
been stirring up the animals before you came in 
and you found them in a bellicose humor.” 

“Doctor, you will have to explain your explana- 
tion before I can understand the casus belli” 

“Hamilton,” said Dalzell, “the doctor has 
shocked the animals, as he calls us, by declaring 
war on all religious denominations. Not one of 
them is good enough for him, and, like Mahomet, 
I suppose he will soon be going about proclaiming 
a new faith and will furnish us with another period 
for the reckoning of time, for I know his suave 
manners and winning ways will lead to a second 
Hejira.” 

“Dalzell, that statement is true as far as it goes, 
but it is not a correct statement, because, as made, 


332 THE WAY TO WIN 

it is misleading. I find no fault with their religion, 
and, instead of none of them being good enough 
for me, I have never yet seen the man that I 
thought good enough to belong to one of them.” 

“All this may be beautifully transparent to you. 
Doctor,” said Hamilton, “and to the rest of you 
animals, but to me it is about as clear as mud. It 
seems that you all agree and yet you do not agree. 
Won’t some one of the animals enlighten me?” 

“Dr. Hamilton, I will tell you,” said Grace. 
“These men are eternally sparring and nagging 
and imagine themselves entertaining and funny, 
when in reality they are boring and stupid. Uncle 
Gus thinks there ought to be one grand and univer- 
sal church ; whereas, the rest of us think it a wise 
provision of Providence that there are various 
denominations of Christians with different forms 
of government; because, as you know, we are all 
differently constituted and all of us cannot view 
things from the same standpoint and see them in 
the same light.” 

“Now, Grace, you haven’t improved on Dal- 
zell’s statement — not even a little bit — for I fully 
agree with you in all that you have stated.” 

“Well, then,” cried Grace, “what in the name of 
common sense have we all been wrangling about 
for the last hour?” 

“Merely a little misunderstanding, Grace, 
which causes about nine-tenths of our wrangles 
and perhaps ten-tenths of our troubles.” 

“Well,” said Elamilton, “there seems to be a 


THE WAY TO WIN 333 

distinction somewhere among you without any real 
difference.” 

“There, Hamilton, there, you have hit the nail 
squarely on the head without knowing it. That is 
just what I think the various denominations ought 
to realize. They all admit it in theory, but they do 
not act upon it and together. They admit that 
there is but one saving religion; that there is but 
one church as instituted by our Saviour; that they 
are all striving for the same goal; that there are 
just as good Christians in one denomination as 
>ou can find in another; that they all have but one 
common enemy, and yet we can, now and then, 
catch them trying to rob each other by proselyting; 
and, now and then, we hear hints, allusions, reflec- 
tions, intimations, all going to signify that there is 
something wrong elsewhere ; and they wrangle, 
and fume, and fuss, and fret, over what they them- 
selves admit to be non-essentials. Nay, more, 
even from the sacred desk there sometimes come 
subtle innuendoes, subdued carpings and refined 
criticisms of the absent brother. These things are 
repellant — they engender estrangement — they do 
not form a good soil for the growth of brotherly 
love, and it is with these things, and these things 
only, that I find fault. Why can’t they make a 
long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether, and 
moor the old ship of Zion in the haven of the 
millennium?” 

“It can’t be denied. Doctor, that the troubles 
you have named do exist and that they have a most 
unfortunate effect. On Sunday from the pulpit 


334 the way to WIN 

we hear that love is the fulfilling of the law and 
from the pew we hear the amen. The rest of the 
week the teacher and the laymen loose themselves 
in the world — criticise and backbite each other and 
mankind in general just as severely and just as 
unreservedly as do the unregenerate. They 
eagerly scheme for the vantage ground ; they zeal- 
ously plot to pile up profits, and the non-professor, 
comparing himself with the professor and seeing 
but little if any difference, is satisfied with himself 
and hears with dull ears the dulcet pleadings of the 
sonorous Sunday sermon. Theory is the product 
of dreamland, and you might as well expect a man 
to satisfy and fill himself by looking at a feast, 
as to expect theory to accomplish any good and 
useful thing until it is put into active, working 
order. 

“You are right, Hamilton, when all roads lead 
to Rome, in the end what matters it which one we 
take? Each denomination is journeying to the 
Heavenly City where all is brotherly love and 
everlasting joy, and it does seem to me, instead of 
backbiting and bickering here, each should be 
constantly engaged in sending words of cheer to 
the other across the narrow, dividing lines. Now, 
there is our Baptist brother — a good fellow. He 
is on his way to the Eternal City and he wants you 
to go with him. But he insists that you must go 
by the water route and, if you decline to ship 

aboard his yacht, you may go to . Well, he 

refuses to hold communion with you here, 
although he admits that he expects to be with you 


THE WAY TO WIN 335 

in the blissful beyond and to sit down with you in 
an unending feast of love in the happy hereafter. 

“To onlookers the difference between the Pres- 
byterian and the Methodist is very marked. The 
Presbyterian falls and denies It — the Methodist 
falls and admits it — that is the real difference. I 
believe they call it backsliding. It was only about 
a year ago I overheard one young lady ask 
another, ‘Are you a member of the church?’ and 
was answered, ‘I did join the Methodist Church, 
but I slid.’ 

“The denominations are frequently firing paper 
bullets of the brain at each other about election, 
predestination, foreordination, foreknowledge and 
free agency, but it is all words — mere words — 
idle words. There is too much reasoning from the 
human standpoint. With Deity there is neither a 
past nor a future, but everything Is present, and the 
moment of birth and the moment of death are, as 
to Him, one and the same. He has prepared a 
House of Many Mansions. He has provided the 
means for you and for me to get there. There Is 
no coercion. He simply places the means at our 
disposal and leaves It to us to make our choice. 
Being omniscient, as we believe. He knows 
whether we will use or abuse the means. In other 
words. He knows what choice we will make. He 
sees the end from the beginning, for both are 
present before Him — there can be no mistake. 

“Looking at it, then, from the standpoint of 
Deity, the end Is fixed and certain and. In my opin- 
ion, the narne of this certainty is wholly immaterial 


336 THE WAY TO WIN 

and a matter of no moment. And yet the 
preachers of these denominations, in their Sunday 
sermons and before their several congregations, 
will pitch and prance, rip and rear, tear their hair 
and claw the air, confusing the minds of their 
hearers, awakening doubts, enkindling feelings of 
distrust, undermining brotherly affection, pre- 
venting unity of purpose, destroying oneness of 
action, and making the impression upon their 
hearers that the other fellow is on a broad road 
that leads to a certain very tropical country of 
which we have all heard — and all about what? A 
name, humanly speaking, for a thing or an event, 
or whatever you please to call It, that Is just as 
certain as that Deity is omniscient.” 

“Hold, Doctor,” exclaimed Hamilton. “You 
have abused these denominations long enough 
unless you were better versed in their doctrines 
and held sounder views. Our Puritan fathers 
would consider you quite a degenerate. You are 
decidedly heterodox. But you must be sound some- 
where. Try the Episcopalians. Miss Ada is of 
that persuasion and I have no doubt you can enter- 
tain her with some original views.” 

“I don’t know that my views would meet the 
full approval of either Calvin or Wesley, nor do I 
care, for I am satisfied they rest on the bed-rock of 
common sense. I do not belong to that class who 
think that these two church magnates knew every- 
thing. The world moves, and to-day we have men 
among us whose piety is unquestioned, of just as 
much ability and more learning, and I fail to see 


THE WAY TO WIN 337 

why their opinion should not command as much 
respect. It is folly to suppose that wisdom begins 
and ends with any one man, or set of men, past, 
present, or to come. 

“But you said something about Episcopalians. 
Well, they constitute the finest social club in all the 
world. Forty-day Christians they are sometimes 
called. If all the members merit the name, it is 
certainly a great improvement upon many that 
belong to other denominations. Yes, Ada is a 
member of that club and, having swallowed the 
thirty-nine articles, she confidently believes that it 
occupies the ante-room to paradise with only a 
very thin partition between, and that St. Peter 
stands at the door solicitous to welcome in the 
members.” 

“Well,” said Ada, “is that not more satisfac- 
tory than the setting up of a mortgage lien upon 
the place that you Presbyterians claim to have?” 

“You forget, Ada,” put in Kate, “that the mort- 
gage was foreclosed, as the lawyers say, some nine- 
teen hundred years ago — the place purchased, and 
all we have to do is to accept, go in and enjoy the 
home that is offered to us.” 

“Grace,” exclaimed Ada, “you are a member of 
the club and you must fall in line and help me to 
battle against this coalition of Presbyterians.” 

“I hear the Macedonian cry, Ada, but I am no 
longer able to respond to the call.” 

“What do you mean, Grace? I do not under- 
stand you.” 

“I mean that I no longer consider myself a 


338 THE WAY TO WIN 

member of the finest social club in the world, as 
Dr. Blake calls it, and that I shall withdraw from 
membership among the forty-day Christians.” 

“You give results without stating the cause, and 
I ask again, what’s the matter that you can no 
longer answer my call for help ?” 

“When I married Albert 1 knew that his mother 
and Inez were members of the Presbyterian 
Church and that it is the church of his choice. The 
husband is the head of the family, and until the 
woman can look upon the man in that light and 
say with Ruth, his people shall be my people, she is 
not ready nor is she capable of discharging the 
duties of an affectionate wife. That in effect is 
precisely what she promises to do when she takes 
the marriage vow and leaves the paternal home, — 
to make his people her people, — and unless she is 
willing to do so she had better remain a spinster. 
She has no right to enter a family, united in senti- 
ment and affection, as a kind of dividing line. The 
line may be invisible, but, say what we may, neces- 
sarily it is felt. Furthermore, I agree with Dr. 
Blake, that there is but one religion, and with 
Shakespeare that there is nothing in a name.” 

“It is no use to argue with an infatuated woman, 
and to do so in the presence of Mr. Dalzell, who 
is sitting there clothed with a beatific smile, would 
be inexcusable.” 

“Please, please,” stammered Dr. Blake, “please 
let up a minute. I want to get my breath and re- 
cover from the shock. Thank you, Grace ! Dr. 
Blake and Shakespeare cited in the same breath! 


THE WAY TO WIN 339 

That is conclusive of the argument and renders 
further debate unnecessary. 1 knew I deserved it, 
but it is so hard to impress our contemporaries 
with our true merit that I had begun to fear the 
public would have to wait for my epitaph before 
finding out what a truly good and great man I am. 
The intertwining of my name with that of Shakes- 
peare, however, fixes my rank and places me 
among the immortals. 

“After hearing Grace upon the duties of wife- 
hood, I incline to the opinion that the West Pointer 
was not so very far wrong in his calculations.” 

“I suppose all West Pointers learn to make cal- 
culations, but I haven’t the slightest idea to what 
you refer. You must specify.” 

“A fellow who learned to figure up at West 
Point has been making calculations as to the com- 
ing of the millennium. He fixed the time, but it 
has passed; so he must have slipped up somewhere 
in his figuring. I was thinking, however, if he 
could only hear you on the duties of the good wife, 
he could consider your views almost a verification 
of his calculation, and in them see the dawning of 
the much-desired time. If you could only get your 
views in working order among wives — ” 

“Pshaw! Uncle Gus, do hush!” interrupted 
Kate. “You are trying our patience overmuch. 
For an hour you have been wandering in paths 
unknown to you, — talking about church doctrines 
and church differences, — and now you are ready to 
discuss matrimonial matters in detail and to tell us 
what are the requisites of a good wife. I have 


340 THE WAY TO WIN 

noticed frequently that it takes the unmarried 
party to lay down the rules and regulations for the 
happy family, and that the childless party is always 
brimming over with information for the parent 
and can tell him just how he ought to rear his 
children. These are the favorite topics of crusty 
and disappointed bachelors and of hopeless and 
angular spinsters. Of the two, I don’t know which 
is the greater nuisance to society.” 

There was a general laugh, and Hamilton said : 
‘‘Doctor, I know you are down and badly dis- 
figured, but as umpire I will withhold the count 
until you are again upon your feet.” 

‘‘You can count me out, Hamilton. Had I 
known she was so familiar with the topics and so 
cunning of fence. I’d seen her — ” 

“No, I set up no claim to information on either 
topic — in fact I have none. The difference be- 
tween us. Uncle Gus, is, I admit my ignorance, 
while you — but let us change the subject.” 


CHAPTER XXX 

“I hear,” said Kate, “that old man Green, who 
died the other day, left in his will fifty thousand 
dollars for the purpose of establishing a school 
for the poor children of the city.” 

“That is correct,” said Mr. Dalzell. “His 
bonds, stocks, and moneys were on deposit with us 
and we have been duly notified to that effect.” 

“Who and what was Mr. Green?” asked Grace. 

“He was a very old man, up in the eighties — a 
man of large means and plenty of poor kin.” 

“And to that, Dalzell,” said Dr. Blake, “you 
can add that he was a miser and that he was never 
known to do a charitable act in all his long life. 
It would have been impossible to persuade him to 
lend the city of Denver so much as a nickel if, by 
so doing, it would have secured for the city the re- 
establishment of the Garden of Eden in all its 
blissful beauty and pristine purity, without re- 
ceiving a first mortgage on the City Hall to keep 
him safe in making the loan. As a patriot and a 
man of public spirit, he did not measure up to a 
point which, mathematicians tell us, is without 
length, breadth, or thickness. What do you think 
of such a man, Hamilton?” 

“That he is of more use to his fellow-men dead 


341 


342 THE WAY TO WIN 

than when living. I have very little respect for 
mortuary gifts of the Green character.” 

‘‘I don’t see why?” said Kate. “The money 
could not be put to a more useful purpose, or 
where it would be likely to bring a greater benefit 
to the community and the State at large.” 

“I agree with you as to the use to which the 
money is put, but my remark had no reference to 
that view of the matter. I was thinking only of 
the giver. My opinion is that generosity and 
liberality have very little to do with the gift, but 
that it is grounded in pure and unadulterated 
selfishness — a desire on the part of the donor to 
erect a monument to himself and perpetuate his 
name at the expense of the person to whom the 
money rightfully belongs. Hence, my want of 
respect — ” Here Hamilton was interrupted by 
the appearance of a servant with a silver waiter, on 
which was a card. 

The servant said, “Mr. Percy to see Miss Kate.” 
There was a quick exchange of glances that sent 
the blood into Kate’s face, but she told the servant 
to turn on the light and show Mr. Percy to the 
parlor. 

Dr. Blake sprang up, exclaiming, “To your 
tents, O Israel ! The Philistines be upon thee, and 
the enemy has possession of that jawbone! Ada, 
you are at home here and know where to find your 
hiding-place. Dalzell, you must look after Grace. 
Hamilton, come with me to my den where I can 
take a nervine and furnish the cigars.” 


CHAPTER XXXI 


Mr. Percy was on his way to Washington, but 
he lingered several days in the city. His appear- 
ance upon the scene of action did not contribute 
to Plamilton’s sociability. The object of Mr. 
Percy’s visit was well understood, and Hamilton 
allowed himself to be influenced by two phantoms 
of the brain: First, he imagined that Kate must 
have known of Mr. Percy’s coming; second, that 
his visit was acceptable, to say the least, or he 
would not loiter so long on his way to Congress. 

When anything went wrong with Hamilton; 
when he was distrait, distressed or depressed, he 
always turned for relief to hard work. To all 
appearances he became absorbed in his profession. 
T rue, he was not altogether forgetful of his social 
duties, but his voluntary calls and his responses to 
invitations were manifestly of a perfunctory char- 
acter. His manner in society was always courteous 
and affable, but hung round with repression and 
reserve. There was a want of spontaneity and 
sparkle in his conversation — leaning too much to 
things learned and suggesting the measuring of 
calico with a yardstick. 

And so days slipped into weeks, with tiamilton 
devoted to duty. 


343 


344 the way to WIN 

In the meantime, Inez and Livingstone had 
married and were living in an Eden of their own, 
and as happy as the first pair before mother Eve 
had tasted of the tree of knowledge. The sani- 
tarium had been finished and all the appointments 
completed, and it was filling with patients and 
nurses under the general supervision of Living- 
stone. It was on an afternoon in the month of 
June, when Grace had gone with her liege lord, 
that she closed a conversation with Hamilton, 
saying: 

“You might as well stop your corkscrewing, 
pumping, and boring, for you will never strike oil. 
I don’t pretend to have any knowledge of Kate’s 
affairs and, if I did have, I am not the one to be- 
tray them or play traitor to her confidence. I have 
no doubt that you would like to know just what she 
thinks of Mr. Percy, and especially of what she 
thinks of Dr. Hamilton, but you have failed to 
take the course that leads to knowledge.” 

“Well, I am willing to be advised. What course 
ought I to take?” 

“I recommend the mushroom test for your con- 
sideration.” 

“I am puzzled to understand what you mean by 
the mushroom test.” 

“What ! Lived in Paris for years, fed on mush- 
rooms, and not know the certain test for telling a 
mushroom from a toadstool ! I cannot believe it! 
Surely you are quizzing me I” 

“Yes, I have lived in Paris and fed on mush- 


THE WAY TO WIN 345 

rooms, but I am not quizzing you. I assure you 
I am wholly ignorant of your test.” 

“The test is a very simple one. You eat, and, 
if it is a mushroom, you enjoy it and you are all 
right. If it is a toadstool, you are poisoned and 
you die. The eating is the test.” 

“No ordinary danger for the inexperienced,” 
said Hamilton. 

“It is by eating that you gain experience, my 
friend, and you may skirmish around for the bal- 
ance of time, and you may try to catch the flavor of 
the mushroom in this way or that way, but you 
will never realize its relish without eating it — try 
as you may. Now for a word of application, as 
the preacher says : 

“ ‘He either fears his fate too much, 

Or his desserts are small, 

Who dares not put it to the touch 
To win or lose it all.’ 

“Having furnished you with a mental cud, I 
will leave you. I am tired of teaching a pupil so 
dull. Goodbye.” 

Two or three days later. Dr. Blake had been 
driving with Hamilton, and as they were about 
to separate he remarked: 

“I see that the long session of Congress is draw- 
ing to a close.” 

“I had not noticed,” replied Hamilton. “I have 
been so busy of late that I have given that body 
but very little attention. What have they been 
doing?” 


346 THE WAY TO WIN 

“Yes, they have fixed the day of adjournment — 
only ten days off. They have been doing about 
what they usually do. They have appropriated 
and divided out the treasury and provided for its 
refilling with a view to future appropriations and 
divisions. Having done this, they find themselves 
about out of business and they have agreed to 
adjourn and await the coming in of revenue.” 

“I suppose, then, it will not be long before we 
will have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Percy?” 

“I don’t know about that? What makes you 
think so?” 

“Oh, nothing in particular. I am only judging 
the future by the past. I have observed that he 
makes this city his resting-place to and from Wash- 
ington, and for reasons no doubt perfectly satisfac- 
tory to himself.” 

“I suppose I understand your insinuation. If 
you really wish to meet Mr. Percy, I fear you will 
be disappointed. I am in nobody’s confidence and 
I am not telling tales out of school, but I am satis- 
fied Kate, the last time that he was here, gave that 
specimen of animated emptiness to understand 
that there was no resting-place for him at the 
Somers mansion. So, as this is not his direct route 
home, if you have business with him, or really 
desire the pleasure of his companionship for a few 
days, I advise you to send him a telegram to that 
effect.” 


CHAPTER XXXII 


7'he fishing season was on, and Dalzell went to 
see Hamilton to get him to join a fishing party. 

“Hamilton, you know it Is the season when the 
law turns the followers of Isaak Walton free to 
roam the streams. I have received a letter from 
my friend. Jack Crawford, asking me to come to 
his ranch with a company of my own selection and 
enjoy the pleasure of lifting the trout from his 
streams. I am out trying to make up a party of 
congenial friends, and if you will join us my list 
is complete.” 

“But who and what is your friend. Tack Craw- 
ford?” 

“That I call him my friend ought to be suffi- 
cient. However, I will tell you that he Is one of 
the most companionable of men. A man of com- 
fortable fortune, well educated, but somewhat of 
an eccentric, and delights in the free and easy and 
do-as-you please life of a rancher. He is the 
owner of a large and valuable ranch, and his pic- 
turesque nest of a home, situate In the finest sec- 
tion of all Colorado, Is presided over by a regular 
little love of a wife, who charms with her smiles 
and wins with her wit.” 

“Love in a cottage,” said Hamilton, smiling. 


347 


348 THE WAY TO WIN 

“Tell me whom you have chosen to go with you to 
this home of love, laughter, and song.” 

“The truth is often spoken in jest, and you will 
find it, Hamilton, just the place you have de- 
scribed. Livingstone declines — says he has a con- 
tempt for the memory of our friend Isaak Walton, 
whose chief pleasure seems to have been the watch- 
ing of the death struggle, no respect for the science 
of angling, and no piscatory taste until the real 
article is ‘done to a turn’ and placed before him. 
He says, however, that you are just the man for 
the business — that you can sit in the shade of a 
tree and watch the line all day, and without so 
much as getting a nibble you return at night-fall 
feeling that you have had a day of glorious sport.” 

“Some men are never less alone than when 
alone,” commented Hamilton. 

“Inez,” continued Dalzell, “of course refuses 
to go without Livingstone. The party will consist 
of Grace and myself, Ada and Dr. Blake, Kate 
and yourself. Come, say that you will go. You 
have been hard worked and seemingly on the sulk- 
ing list of late, and a week’s outing will do you 
good.” 

“Your selection, Dalzell, is all that I could ask. 
But a week’s fishing ! I think you must excuse me ! 
Our host would weary of us — we would weary of 
our host, and we would grow weary of each other. 
Familiarity is a foe to friendship. Think of being 
cooped up in a country house for a whole week and 
angling the only diversion ! The very thought of 
it is enough to give a social man the syncope I” 


THE WAY TO WIN 349 

“You don’t know what you are talking about, 
Hamilton. Jack has a library well stocked with 
both light and heavy literature; he has a billiard 
table the equal of any in this city, and even you 
will find him no mean antagonist. His wife has a 
splendid piano, and there shall be music and danc- 
ing, if you wish it, for she is an expert, and Jack 
sings a bass that you will enjoy.’’ 

“Your picturesque nest of a home, Dalzell, 
must indeed be a perfect paradise, or are you 
drawing on your imagination and amusing your- 
self with word painting in order to excite my 
curiosity?” 

“I am doing nothing of the kind. I am only 
trying to describe what I have seen and heard; 
and, if you will only go with us, you will find that 
the half has not been told you — that the reality 
surpasses the painting.” 

“Every prospect pleases, Dalzell, and my 
nerves are clamoring for a rest. I now think that 
you can add me to the list, but I will let you know 
to-morrow whether you can depend on me.” 

Here they were interrupted by Dr. Blake, who 
came to them wearing a smile as broad as his face. 
Dalzell said: 

“Let us enjoy it with you. Doctor, for I know 
by that smile that you have got something that is 
good.” 

“I don’t know, Dalzell, that you can appreciate 
it, for you have been a banker and a money lender 
from your youth up; but, having passed through 
the debtor stage myself and sometimes without so 


350 THE WAY TO WIN 

much as a sou in my pocket, I can assure you that 
1 did enjoy it to the full and through and through. 
1 was talking with Bill Briggs only a few minutes 
ago. You know Bill is a man of comfortable for- 
tune, but it seems to be a part of his religion not 
to pay a debt without first being dunned. Even 
then, he don’t seem to be in much of a hurry about 
it. 

“As I came up to him. Bill received two state- 
ments. One from Mrs. Chapin’s millinery estab- 
lishment and the other from Johnson’s jewelry 
store. It seems that Mrs. Briggs had been attend- 
ing to business. Bill said to the bearers, ‘All 
right, boys.’ They lingered for a time, but he had 
nothing more to say to them. After they had gone. 
Bill, in a casual way, told me of the statements, 
and added, ‘These people must think I am a cir- 
culating money mint and that I coin the genuine 
article as I walk through the streets. I am dis- 
gusted with their perpetual persistency and I most 
heartily wish we had the Arctic regions with us — 
or rather their days and nights.’ I asked him 
what he meant, and he explained by saying: 

“ ‘I am told that up in the Arctic regions the 
days and nights are each six months long. If it 
were only so here, it would be so comforting, when 
a party comes round with what he calls his state- 
ment, just to say to him — call round to-morrow 
and I will settle with you. A fellow would have 
time to rest and enjoy a nap between duns.’ The 
idea was an oddly novel one to me and struck my 
funny bump. 


THE WAY TO WIN 351 

“But what about the fishing excursion, Dalzell? 
Has that little piece of rebel electricity, Ada 
Stuart, agreed to go?” 

“Yes, and so has Hamilton. The party is com- 
plete. I will notify Jack of our coming and he will 
meet us at the depot with conveyances. It is only 
a half day’s drive to his ranch, and the beautiful 
scenery through which the road runs will linger 
with us ever after.” 

Hamilton found the Crawfords admirable hosts. 
We speak of entertaining as an art. This is a 
mistake, for it is founded in nature — a nature for- 
getful of self and causing the visitor to forget that 
he is not at home. The true host, like the true 
gentleman, is born. Each is the product of an 
unselfish heart from which kindliness flows as 
naturally as waters gush from their hidden foun- 
tains — the handiwork of nature. 

Angling w’as the business of the morning. The 
afternoon was spent by the members of the party 
in mirth and jollity and with all the abandon of 
children let loose from school. The evening was 
for music and song, intermingled with wit and 
repartee, like the flashings of the fire-fly. But the 
last day of the excursion had come and to-morrow 
they must quit this carnival of pleasure and return 
to the whirr of wheels and the busy hum of their 
city homes. As they were leaving for the trout 
pools, Hamilton asked Kate : 

“Do you really care to fish this morning?” 

“No, I do not. I think I am sufficiently tanned 


352 THE WAY TO WIN 

to claim a healthy hue, and I would prefer to loll 
on the grass and rest in the shade.” 

“What say you, then, to taking the chess-board 
and men along to while away the day?” 

“Do so, and I shall enjoy the game if you will 
let me win.” 

A tree of a century’s growth stood near the 
stream. Its wide spreading-branches would 
shadow a troop of cavalry. Underneath was a 
carpet of grass of luxuriant growth. No better 
place for the chess tournament could be found. 
The first game was long and skilfully played to a 
draw. The second game was begun, and Kate 
soon detected that Hamilton was not playing with 
his usual skill. It was not long until the checkmate 
came. It was a short game. In the meantime. Dr. 
Blake and Ada had come to a near-by pool and 
were devoting themselves to the habitants. 

The pieces had been placed for a third game, 
when Hamilton, sweeping them from the board, 
said: 

“Miss Kate, there is another game that I wish 
to play and one in which you hold the controlling 
cards.” 

Without thinking she innocently asked : 

“What game is that?” 

Not receiving an immediate answer, she looked 
up and was startled to find his face pale, and every 
feature set with determination. 

“Miss Kate, it is commonly known as Cupid’s 
game. It was instituted in Eden and is the one 
blessing that has come down to us from the Gar- 


THE WAY TO WIN 353 

den. Miss Kate, I love you and I want you for 
my wife.” 

Before he had finished, her face was aflame and 
her eyes had gone down. She did not answer, 
and he continued: 

“I have loved you every day since the day of the 
railroad wreck. I did not know it at first, and 
when the truth began to dawn upon me I thought 
to brush it away, as I had done many a time before. 
I have surprised and shocked you with my blunt- 
ness, but. Miss Kate, the truth is best told in simple 
words.” 

“You shall have an answer. Dr. Hamilton, but 
do not press for it at this time.” 

“The fact that you are apparently willing to 
consider the question permits me still to hope. I 
know that much of my past is hideous, but remem- 
ber that I have nothing to conceal and Livingstone 
can tell you anything that you would like to know.” 

“I know all of your past that I care to know, 
and I tell you frankly that it does not enter into the 
question. We go home to-morrow. 7 'he next day 
I must rest. Call in the evening and I will manage 
in some way, as opportunity offers, to give you 
an answer without the cruelty of requiring you to 
again put your question.” 

An exclamation from Ada attracted their atten- 
tion. Looking, they were just in time to see her 
struggling with a two-pound beauty. She had 
lifted it from the water and Dr. Blake was in the 
act of reaching out to take the line. The fish was 
whirling and twirling, and wiggling and twisting; 


354 the way to win 

it tore loose from the hook, and falling in the edge 
of the water — it escaped. The comical expression 
that Ada wore was beyond description, and Kate 
and Hamilton, forgetting their personal situation, 
joined heartily in the amusement of the moment. 
Dr. Blake managed to assume a tombstone appear- 
ance and an affidavit face, but his eyes were foun- 
tains of fun and his diaphram was in convulsions. 
For a full minute not a word was spoken, when 
Ada, in a pleading tone, said: 

“Doctor, please say it for me ! Please, Doctor, 
say it !” 

The doctor could contain himself no longer, 
and rolled on the ground, shaking with laughter. 
When he could get his breath, he asked: 

“Ada, what is it you want me to say?” 

“Oh! you know. Doctor. Say it, and don’t be 
so long about it! Say it quick, for I must have 
some relief!” 

“How can I say it, Ada, when you won’t tell me 
what to say?” 

“Doctor, you know what the occasion calls for 
and you know how to say it! Your sex has a 
monopoly of such sayings, while mine is forbidden 
to infringe upon your rights. So hurry up and say 
it and save me from an untimely death!” 

“Ada, did you ever hear the joke about the man 
and woman racing for the train that left them 
behind?” 

“If you don’t want me to give up the ghost, 
don’t inflict upon me, in this the hour of my suffer- 
ing, one of your innumerable and pointless jokes. 


THE WAY TO WIN 355 

Doctor, it is your privilege to say it and I am wait- 
ing on you. Please say it, doctor, and the next 
time you ask me, I will say — yes” 

“Let me tell the joke. I think you will see the 
point and appreciate it. A man and a woman, 
strangers to each other, each with a grip in hand, 
were making for a railroad train. They saw the 
train begin to move, and put on their best speed, 
only touching the ground here and there in high 
places. They reached the road just in time to be 
too late — the train was moving off with increasing 
speed. Each looked on for a minute, panting 
from exertion and lost in thoughts unutterable. 
As the train disappeared in the distance, the man, 
forgetful of the woman’s presence, said: 

“ ‘Damn that train !’ 

“To which the woman instantly replied: 

“ ‘Thank you, sir !’ ” 

“A fellow-feeling make us w^ondrous kind. 
Thank you. Doctor! I can understand and enter 
fully into that woman’s feelings. It is the best 
joke I ever heard you tell, and,” wdth a sigh as of 
great relief, “it has had a most soothing effect.” 

“Well, Ada, I suppose there is nothing for us 
to do now but to appoint the day and send for the 
parson?” 

‘I don’t know about that. Doctor, because you 
went round the house to get in at the back door. 
True, you did say it, but in a very mild and in- 
direct way without the force and vim of a man 
who felt and really meant what he said. And, 
then, Doctor, you haven’t asked me — yet.” 


356 THE WAY TO WIN 

The evening shades of the appointed day had 
come, and Hamilton was not in a happy frame of 
mind. He was restless, wandering to and fro, 
here and there about his room. Why is it that 
the man who has moved fearlessly forward upon 
the flame of the rattling rifle and amid the roar of 
death-dealing artillery, will shrink from meeting 
the woman he loves to hear her simple answer 
of — Yes or No? Let other dreamers solve the 
question.” 

Hamilton completed his toilet with care, and 
went. As he approached the Somers mansion he 
saw that lights were on in the drawing-room and 
knew that he was expected. Entering the hall, 
he saw Kate standing underneath the chandelier. 
There was a flush on her face and a light in her eye 
as she advanced to meet him, and, holding out 
toth her hands, she said, as he took them : 

“Dr. Hamilton, you have your answer.” 


CHAPTER XXXIII 


Two years have come and gone. On the 
veranda of the Somers home we see Dalzell and 
Grace standing with Kate. By Kate’s side is a 
great Newfoundland with a coat of spotless white 
— the gift of Hamilton to his wife. As they watch 
the street there is expectancy in the look. 

“Kate, why did Dr. Hamilton go to Chicago?” 
It was Grace who asked the question. 

“Among Chicago’s millionaires there is a man 
by the name of Sellers with whom Dr. Hamilton 
toured Europe and Egypt. It seems that this man 
has some serious trouble, and when informed that 
a dangerous operation was absolutely necessary he 
said that nobody should perform it but Dr. Hamil- 
ton. He telegraphed here and was informed that 
he must come to the infirmary. It was impossible 
for him to come, and his wife telegraphed appeal- 
ing to the long-ago friendship. That, you know, 
is Dr. Hamilton’s weak point. Three days ago 
he telegraphed me that the operation had been suc- 
cessfully performed and that he would be home 
to-day. It seems to me that it is time for him to be 
here, or am I nervously anxious?” 

Dalzell looked at his watch and answered; 


367 


358 THE WAY TO WIN 

“No. If the train is on time, he will be here in 
a few minutes.” 

He had scarcely spoken, when the clacking clat- 
ter on the macadam of swift-coming horses was 
heard. The vehicle swung to the gate and Hamil- 
ton sprang to the ground. The Newfoundland 
went barking and bounding to him, and, as he 
rapidly approached the stoop, Kate hastened 
down the steps and glided into his arms. 


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